Present study was carried out to investigate antihyperglycemic, antihyperlipidemic and nephroprotective activity of hydroalcoholic extract of aerial parts of Cassia auriculata L. (HACA) in streptozotocin induced diabetes rats, to focus on its possible mode of action and identification of possible phytoconstituents responsible for the proposed activity.
Experimental diabetes was induced in wistar rats by single intraperitonial injection of streptozotocin (65 mg/kg). Animals were divided in six groups (n=6) and treated with variable doses of HACA for 4 weeks. At the end of 4 weeks, fasting blood glucose, oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), serum creatinine, serum total proteins, serum albumin, lipid profile, glycosylated haemoglobin, was determined. Antioxidant enzymes of kidney were evaluated. Urine was analyzed for albumin, total proteins and creatinine clearance. Kidney of experimental animals was examined to determine structural changes. The results of our study demonstrate antihyperglycemic, antihyperlipidemic and nephroprotective potential of aerial parts of Cassia auriculata L. justifying its use in the indigenous system of medicine.