Piyushkumar Pargi, Manish Barvaliya, Bhargav Purohit,
Volume 18, Issue 4 (7-2024)
Abstract
Background: Anti-diabetic properties of several Ficus species have been explored in animal studies; nevertheless, there is a dearth of research on the hypoglycemic effects of the bark of Ficus Lacor Buch.-Ham. To address this knowledge gap, this study was conducted to assess the hypoglycemic activity of an aqueous extract derived from the bark of Ficus Lacor Buch.-Ham in diabetic rabbits.
Methods: Diabetes was induced in rabbits using alloxan monohydrate (120 mg/kg intravenously). A total of thirty-six rabbits were divided into six groups, each consisting of six animals. The control groups comprised a non-diabetic control group and a diabetic control group. Two test groups, designated as the low-dose and high-dose extract group, received Ficus Lacor extract orally at doses of 100 and 200 mg/kg, respectively, for 6 weeks. Metformin was utilized as an active control group. To evaluate the hypoglycemic effects in normal rabbits, a group of non-diabetic rabbits received Ficus Lacor extract at a dose of 200 mg/kg. Fasting and post-prandial blood sugar levels were monitored on a weekly basis for 6 weeks and subsequently compared. The percentage reduction in blood sugar levels was calculated for each group and compared among the study groups.
Results: At the end of the 6-week, the low-dose Ficus Lacor extract led to an average reduction of 38.3% in FBS and 40.5% in PP2BS, while the high-dose Ficus Lacor extract resulted in an average reduction of 35.3% in FBS and 36.3% in PP2BS.
Conclusion: Aqueous extract of bark of Ficus Lacor demonstrates significant hypoglycemic activity.
