Hypoglycaemic Effect of Vriddhadaru [Argyreia nervosa (Burm. f.) Boj.] in Alloxan Induced Diabetic Rabbits

Diabetes Mellitus is the most important non communicable disease, playing a notorious role in the devastating phase of public health. Ayurveda, the life science provides astonishing results in such life style disorders. Vriddhadaru an excellent Ayurvedic drug and Argyreia nervosa has been traditionally used as Vriddhadaru, in diabetic management with promising results. But, the anti-diabetic effect of the drug has not been scientifically appreciated. This study ascertains the hypoglycaemic effect of the drug in a pre-clinical model. In this study, alloxan induced 18 diabetic albino rabbits were divided into 3 groups with 6 rabbits in each group. On the day of experiment, after assessing the fasting blood sugar levels in all 18 rabbits, root powder of the test drug as CMC suspension in the dose of 0.56 g/kg body weight and the standard drug, metformin; in the dose of 0.024 mg/kg body weight were administered to the first group and second group respectively. The third group was kept as control and administered with distilled water alone. Later, the blood glucose values were taken at 1st, 3rd and 5th hour and the obtained values were compared with in the group and between the groups. The blood glucose levels were compared using paired t test for within the group analysis and by student t test for between the group analysis. Within the group comparison of blood sugar level in group 1 showed significant decrease in the level at 1st hour and 5th hour from the corresponding fasting blood sugar levels. In group 2, significant decrease of blood sugar level was seen between fasting blood sugar level and 1st hour value and also in fasting blood sugar value and 5th hour value. Between group comparison of group 2 showed significant difference in the reducing the blood sugar level at different time intervals. Ayurvedic literature proposes Pramehaghna property to the drug Vriddhadaru which is substantiated through this pre-clinical trial. But the effect is comparatively less with that of the standard drug. This may be due to the absence of strong antioxidant and antidiabetic chemical constituents in this plant. From the above study, it is inferred that Argyreia nervosa (Burm. f.) Boj. is less effective in reducing blood sugar levels in Alloxan induced diabetic rabbits against the standard drug Metformin.