Ajuga bracteosa: A central Himalayan plant shows potent hypoglycemic effect in rats

In the present study, a central Himalayan herb; Ajuga bracteosa Wall. ex Benth. (Neelkanthi, Ratapaati) was investigated for the probable hypoglycemic activity underlying in it.

The hydroalcoholic extract (80: 20) of the leaves of the plant was tested in diabetic rats experimentally induced by streptozotocin (50 mg/kg). Hydroalcoholic extract of Ajuga bracteosa was administered orally @ 100 mg/kg body wt for 14 days to treat the diabetic rats.

On 14th day, the glucose concentration in the A. bracteosa treated group was significantly decreased (P<0.01) as compared to untreated diabetic rats. The body weight gain in the extract treated group was also significantly higher than that of untreated diabetic rats which was comparable to negative control rats.