Antidiabetic effect of Cephalandra indica Q in diabetic rats

Abstract

Background: Diabetes mellitus is an emerging global epidemic, taking its toll in developing countries as India. Presently, the treatment for diabetes using allopathic drugs gives only a temporary relief. A combination of right medicine and potency, on other hand has given Homoeopathy a high success rate in the treatment of this disease. Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of Cephalandra indica mother tincture and potencies on blood glucose level, cholesterol level, body weight, and beta-cells of pancreatic islets of Langerhans, in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic Wistar rats. Material and Methods: Glucose uptake was monitored in mother tincture-treated mouse fibroblast cell line. Diabetes mellitus was induced by intraperitoneal injection of STZ (55 mg/kg body weight) in adult male rats. After three days of injection, diabetic rats received mother tincture orally (750 μL/kg body weight) daily for three weeks. Results: There was a significant reduction of blood glucose level, regain of body weight, and regeneration of beta-cells in the pancreas of the mother tincture-treated rats. Mother tincture-treated 3T3 cells also showed reduced uptake of glucose in comparison to normal cells. Conclusion: The present study clearly indicates a significant antidiabetic effect of Cephalandra indica and lends support for its usage as a homoeopathic medicine.