To Evaluate the Anti-diabetic and Anti-hyperlipidemic Activity of Leonurus Cardiac L. (Motherwort) extract in Streptozotocin Induced Diabetes in Rats

Leonurus cardiac L. (Motherwort) is a world-renowned plant that contains a collection of chemical compounds like - Alkaloids, flavonoids, glycosides, carbohydrates, phenols, saponins, terpenoids, processing properties which may help in diabetes. The claimed pharmacological properties of Leonurus cardiac L. are antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, cardiovascular reffect.

The methanolic extract yield is higher than ethanol, and plant natural components, such as flavonoids, have strong antioxidant abilities. The aim is to examine the efficiency of Leonurus cardiac L., methanolic extract in case of STZ induced diabetes in rats.

This method comprises a study of 4 weeks including male Wistar rats(200–250g) (n=6). The study groups are divided into (i) Normal Control Group, (ii) Disease Group (iii) Disease + Standard group (Glibenclamide 10mg/kg, p.o), (iv) Disease + TestDose 1 (Leonuru scardiac L. 125mg/kg p.o), (v) Disease + Test Dose 2 (Leonuru scardiac L .250mg/kg p.o), (vi) Disease + Test Dose 3 (Leonurus cardiac L. 500mg/kg p.o). Both the test drug Leonurus cardiac L. and the standard drug Glibenclamide were given orally for 28 days.

After end of study period, blood samples was collected to measure the serum lipids, Biochemical Parameters, OGGT. The Methanol extract of Leonurus cardiac L. demonstrated dose-dependent reductions in blood glucose and lipid levels.

The results of study showed that pre-treatment with Leonurus cardiac L. significantly (p<0.05) decrease the levels of blood glucose and cholesterol as well as the levels of blood TC, TG, and LDL in serum, which may enable anti-hyperglycemic and anti-hyperlipidemic effects by being able to protect against oxidative stress.