alpha-amylase inhibition and antioxidant potential of seeds in streptozotocin-induced oxidative stress in diabetic rats.

Roxb. Commonly known as "Kakora" in Telugu, is used in the Indian traditional system of medicine for the treatment of diabetes. The aim of this study was to investigate the antidiabetic activity of methanolic extract of seeds (MEMD) in streptozotocin (STZ) induced diabetic rats. The α-amylase inhibitory activity of the MEMD was done by spectrophotometric method. Diabetes was induced by STZ (45 mg/kg; i.p), MEMD (100 & 200 mg/kg; b.wt) and standard drug metformin (50 mg/kg; b.wt) were administered to the diabetic rats. Blood glucose was estimated on the 11th day and the level of MDA, SOD and CAT was estimated in the liver tissue homogenate after the 15 days of experimental period. MEMD showed significant inhibition of alpha amylase activity and the IC was found to be 48 μg/ml. Oral administration of MEMD significantly reduced blood glucose level ( < 0.05), diminished the MDA level and refurbished depleted antioxidant enzymes and Insulin level to normalcy. These findings revealed that seeds possess antihyperglycemic, antioxidant and anti lipid peroxidative activity and thus mitigate STZ-induced oxidative damage.