Hypoglycemic Activity of Seerankottai Thiravam (Semicarpus Anacardium. Linn) in Alloxan Induced Diabetic Rats

Diabetes is a global disease. Entire population of the world is suffering from the disease. The International Diabetes Federation (IDF) has estimated that 366 million of people have diabetes in 2011; by 2030 it has been raised up to 552 million. It estimated that 40 million people with diabetes in India in 2007 and this may predicted to rise to almost 70 million by 2025. The aim of the study was to evaluate the anti diabetic activity of the siddha formulary medicine Seerankottai thiravagam (Semicarpus anacardium Linn) (SKT) in Alloxan induced rats. The diluted form of thiravagam (1 ml/kg, p.o) was administered continuously for 14 days orally. Then the results were compared with the standard drug Glibenclamide (5 ml/kg). After 5 days treated with Seerankottai thiravagam significantly (p<0.05) decreased fasting blood serum glucose level in diabetic rats. Treatment with Serankottai Thiravagam not significantly enhanced the average body weights of rats which indicate muscle wasting resulted due to hyperglycaemic condition. The possible mechanism for this action might be due to the inhibition of the enzyme glycogen phosphorylase, an enzyme that catalyzes the process of glycogenolysis. This might be the cause for depletion of glucose and lipid parameters such as total cholesterol and triglyceride in hyperglycaemic condition. Thus the claim made by the traditional Indian siddha systems of medicine regarding the use of Serankottai Thiravagam in the treatment of diabetes stands confirms.