Abstract

Objective: To evaluate for the first time the anti-hyperglycaemic potential of Psoralea bituminosa L. leaves in normal and streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Methods: The aqueous extract was screened for its phytochemicals and tested for acute toxicity. Diabetes was induced in male Wistar rats by the administration of streptozotocin (50 mg/kg, i.v.). The aqueous extract was administered orally once a day for a period of 21 days. Body weight and blood glucose lowering capacity were determined in different experimental days. Results: The results of acute toxicity showed that the rats had a good tolerance to high doses of extract (up to 1.5 g/kg) and that no mortality was observed. The extract had shown a good blood glucose lowering effect in the oral glucose tolerance test. After 21 days of daily oral administration of the extract to streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats, the aqueous extract can reduce hyperglycemia by reaching more than 31%. Conclusions: Aqueous extract possesses a good anti-hyperglycaemic effect and is showing a bright future in the therapy of diabetes mellitus.

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