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Abstract

The present study was carried out to evaluate the hypolipidemic and hypoglycemic effects of the plant Barleria cristata L. Phytochemical screening of crude powdered leaf extract of Barleria cristata L. revealed the presence of various bioactive phytoconstituents. An acute toxicity study of 50% hydroethanolic leaf extract of Barleria cristata L. reported that at all normal therapeutic doses, the test sample was safe for oral treatment. There was no significant change in the bodyweight of rats. Diabetes was induced in experimental rats by the intraperitonial injection of Alloxan. The 50% hydroethanolic extract of Barleria cristata L effectively lowered the blood glucose level in diabetic rats which was equal to glibenclamide treated rats. The plant extract treated HLD rats showed a dose related hypolipidemic activity. All the lipid components -TC, TG, LDL-C, VLDL-Cholesterol levels were reduced significantly, and HDL-C, protective cholesterol level was increased. The present study clearly indicated that 50% hydroethanolic extract of Barleria cristata L. leaf had produced a hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic effect on both diabetic and HLD fed rats. INTRODUCTION:Diabetes mellitus is a group of metabolic disorders characterized by increased blood glucose levels due to the absence of insulin secretion or peripheral insulin resistance. Impaired metabolism of a number of biomolecules such as glucose, lipids, proteins and glycoproteins has been reported in diabetes mellitus. Type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus are the most common forms of diabetes mellitus 1 .