ASSESSMENT OF PANCREATIC BETA CELL PROTECTION AND ROLE OF ETHANOLIC EXTRACT OF Vitex trifolia L IN ANTIDIABETIC ACTIVITY USING STREPTOZOCIN MODEL

Pancreatic beta cells play a major role in the management of Type II Diabetes mellitus. In the present study we have been evaluated the anti-diabetic and pancreatic protective effects of Ethanolic extract of Vitex trifolia.L in Streptozocin (STZ) induced diabetes model. Ethanolic extracts (VTE) were orally administered at the dose of 100, 300 and 500 mg/kg and metformin was used as a standard anti-diabetic drug at 10 mg/kg dose orally. Blood glucose, Liver and kidney parameters, lipid profiles, pancreatic oxidative stress parameters were evaluated. Oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) was performed. Treatment with extracts resulted in a significant decrease in diabetes incidence with a marked reduction in the blood glucose levels dose dependent and time dependent. Glucose tolerance by animals was significantly improved after treatment with plant extract. Histopathological studies also indicated pancreatic beta-cell protective effects of VTE with increased beta-cell number and size. Our results demonstrate that VTE can be a possible remedy to treat type 2 diabetes and associated complications.