Antidiabetic Effect of Luffa acutangula Fruits and Histology of Organs in Streptozotocin Induced Diabetic in Rats

The Antidiabetic activity of fruits and seeds ethanolic extract of Luffa acutangula (Cucurbitaceae) was studied in a Streptozotocin {STZ) induced diabetic in rats. The acute toxicity and lethality (LD₅₀) and the Phytochemicals analysis of the extract were also evaluated. The results showed that the extract (200 and 400 mg/kg) significantly (P<0.05) reduced fasting blood sugar of Streptozotocin diabetic rats in a dose-related manner, with maximum hypoglycemic effect at after 21 days. Acute toxicity and lethality test of the extract in rats gave an oral LD₅₀ greater than 5 g/kg. It is clearly evident from the study that the streptozotocin administration caused the significant increase in the blood glucose level at 0 day (p<0.001). The 50% ethanolic extract of the fruits of Luffa acutangula showed the significant effect compared with the respective diabetic control group, decrease the blood glucose level at a dose of 200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg (p<0.001), the standard drug glibenclamide also showed the significant decrease the blood glucose level after 21 days (241.33-105.33, p<0.001). Finally the 400 mg/kg and the standard drug showed the significant decrease in the blood glucose level after 21 days treatment (p<0.001). The findings indicate that the leaves of Luffa Acutangula may be beneficial as an Antidiabetic therapy.