In vivo study on the efficacy of hypoglycemic activity of Spirulina plantesis in long evan rats – IJBB

Nurunnahar Fayzunnessa, M Alam Morshed, Azim Uddin, Anzana Parvin, Rahman Saifur

Department of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering, Islamic University, Kushtia 7003, Bangladesh.

Department of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Bangladesh Institute of Health Sciences (BIHS), Darus Salam, Dhaka 1216, Bangladesh

Department of Pharmacy, North South University, Bashundhara, Dhaka 1229, Bangladesh

Key words: Spirulina platensis, hypoglycemic activity, gut perfusion.

Abstract

The ethanol extract of Spirulina platensis was investigated for antihyperglycemic effects in Long Evans rats. Three tests were carried out to assess these activities. The extract caused a dose dependent inhibition of glucose absorption and showed hypoglycemic effects at rats weighing from 110 – 150 gram.The anti-diabetic effects were estimated by measuring the amount of glucose in the samples collected after the experiment. The extract at a dose level of 250mg/kg showed significant result (p<0.05) at 15 minutes and the dose level of 500mg/kg showed significant efficacy (p<0.05) at 10 and 15 minutes and the glucose absorption rates were 38.94±0.21, 34.99±1.91 and 40.86±0.07 respectively. The present study explored the extra pancreatic action of the plant in Long Evans rats. This study suggests that ethanol extract of Spirulina platensis has anti-diabetic effects in a dose dependant manner and these may be effective in the treatment of diabetes.