African Journal of Biotechnology Vol. 6 (10), pp. 1212-1216, 16 May 2007   

ISSN 1684–5315 © 2007 Academic Journals        

Full Length Research Paper

Anti-diabetic and spermatogenic activity of Cocculus hirsutus (L) Diels

Sangameswaran, B^* and Jayakar, B

Vinayaka Mission’s College of Pharmacy, Vinayaka Mission’s University, Salem-636 008, Tamil Nadu, India.

*Corresponding author. E-mail: sangar1970@yahoo.co.in, Phone: 094430 94855, Fax-91427 2400174.

Accepted 16 February, 2007

Anti-diabetic effect was observed with Cocculus hirsutus when given as an aerial part extract in normal as well as diabetic rats. The effect, however, was more pro-nounced in diabetic animals in which administration for 15 days after streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetes, significantly reduced blood glucose levels. After STZ-induced diabetes, it was observed that both standard drug (glibenclamide) and methanolic extract of C. hirsutus were significantly superior to control in reducing blood sugar on long treatment (15 days). The data suggested that C. hirsutus could be of benefit in diabetes mellitus in controlling blood sugar. The present investigation established pharmacological evidence to support the folklore claim that it is an anti-diabetic.

Key words: Cocculus hirsutus, glibenclamide, hyperglycemia, spermatogenic, streptozotocin