Beneficial role of Areca catechu nut extract in Alloxan-induced Diabetic Rats

Areca catechu, popularly known as "Areca nuts" have been used in traditional herbal medicine for the treatment of various diseases including diabetes. In the absence of systemic scientific data in the literature, the present study was designed to evaluate the hypoglycemic, hypolipidemic and antioxidant properties of Areca catechu nut extract in alloxan-induced experimental diabetes in rats. Phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of alkaloids, flavanoids, carbohydrates, saponins, tannins, phytosterol, terpenoids and phenols. The effect of oral administration of Areca catechu nut extract (250 mg/kg b.w.) on the levels of biochemical parameters was determined in both control as well as experimental groups of rats. The altered levels of biochemical parameters in the diabetic rats were significantly reverted back to near basal values by the administration of Areca catechu nut extract for 30 days. The level of glycogen content was improved upon the extract treatment. The altered activities of serum aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatases were restored to normalcy. The levels of lipid peroxides in the plasma and pancreatic tissues of diabetic rats were elevated significantly and were normalized by the administration of Areca catechu nut extract. The activities of enzymatic antioxidants in pancreatic tissues and the levels of plasma non-enzymatic antioxidants were markedly declined in the diabetic rats. Upon treatment with Areca catechu nut extract to diabetic rats, decreased levels were elevated to near normal values. The altered levels of lipid profile in the diabetic group of rats were reverted back to near normalcy upon the extract treatment. Thus, the results of the study indicate that Areca catechu nut extract possesses antilipidemic, antioxidant effects in addition to antidiabetic activity. The results are comparable with gliclazide, an oral standard hypoglycemic drug. The phytochemicals found to be present present in the Areca catechu nut extract may account for the observed pharmacological properties.