Abstract
Diabetes mellitus is a major metabolic disorder affecting a huge population all over the world. The aim of the current study was to validate the folkloric use of
Artemisia indica
as an antidiabetic plant by using the isolated compound carnosol from the chloroform fraction of
Artemisia indica
in streptozotocin-induced diabetes mellitus in rats. The antidiabetic activity-guided isolation of the chloroform fraction of
Artemisia indica linn
(
Asteraceae
) led to the isolation and characterization of carnosol. Carnosol was tested for its possible antidiabetic potential in streptozotocin [50 mg/kg. intra peritoneal (i.p)]-induced diabetic Sprague Dawley rats. Blood glucose level, body weight, serum lipid profile and activities of liver enzymes and effects on histopathological parameters were determined. A daily oral dose of carnosol (1–100 mg/kg b.w) for 15 days caused a significant reduction in blood glucose level, which was comparable to the standard antidiabetic drug, glibenclamide (0.5 mg/kg, p.o). Carnosol also showed reduction in triglycerides, total cholesterol, and low density lipoproteins (LDL) as well as serum glutamate pyruvate transaminase, serum glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase, alkaline phosphatase and serum creatinine level in diabetic rats. Furthermore, in histopathological studies, carnosol reversed streptozotocin-induced changes in the pancreatic islets of Langerhans and caused regeneration and restored the integrity of pancreatic islets of Langerhans which may be responsible for its antihyperlgycemic effect. In conclusion, carnosol possesses hypoglycemic, antihyperlipidemic and useful protective effects on the liver and renal functions in diabetic rats, which suggests that the antidiabetic activity of
Artemisia indica
may be due in part to carnosol.