Abstract
Introduction: Calotropis procera is a member of the plant family Asclepiadaceae, a shrub about 6m high and is widely distributed in the kingdom of Saudi Arabia. This study aimed to show some medicinal potentials and biological activity of Calotropis procera and to discover new natural, safe and effective materials available in the Saudi Arabia environment. Marerial and Methods: The leaves extracts and latex of Calotropis procera (C. procera) were investigated for its anti-hyperglycemic effect in Male Wister Albino rats. Diabetes was induced by administration of single dose of streptozotocin (STZ, 50 mg/kg, I.P). Fourty two male albino rats, weighting 150-200 gm divided into seven groups, each consisted of 6 rats as follows: Group I : Normal control, Group II: Diabetic control, Group III: Diabetic rats given Glibenclamide 600 mu g/kg, Group IV: Diabetic rats given aqueous leaves extracts C. procera 200mg/kg b. wt, Group V: Diabetic rats given chloroform leaves extracts C. procera 200mg/kg b. wt, Group VI: Diabetic rats given ethanol leaves extracts C. procera 200mg/kg b. wt, Group VII: Diabetic rats given latex of C. procera 200mg/kg b. wt. The leaves extracts and latex of Calotropisprocera were administered as single dose per day to diabetes-induced rats for a period of 15 days. The effect of C. proceraon blood glucose level was measured in the diabetic rats. Serum lipid profile (Total cholesterol, triglycerides, low density, and high density lipoprotein) also were measured. The activities were also compared to that effect produced by a standard anti-diabetic agent, glibenclamide 500 mu g/kg. Results and Discussion: The results showed a significant decrease in the mean level of blood glucose and serum cholesterol, Triglycrides, HDL, LDL. Calotropis procera appears to be a rich source of phytoconstituents that activate and inhence a pharmacological response of different parts of the body and this study need further studies to shows the complete properties of the plant