Study of the biological effect of an aqueous extract from a medicinal plant (Costus spicatus) F1 mice treated with hyperglycaemic diet

Abstract

The incidence of chronic diseases is increasing throughout the world. Diabetes is a disease, and approximately 80% of the diabetic population living in developing countries. There is a growing trend towards the use of complementary and alternative medical practices in Diabetes. Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disorder of glucose metabolism which correlates with postprandial hyperglycemia and oxidative stress. The control of the blood glucose level is essential in managing diabetes. The present study tested the hypothesis that an aqueous extract of Costus spicatus a medicinal plant anti hyperglycemic possibly have the ability to promote the decrease of glucose levels in animals treated with diet-induced hyperglycemia. It was observed the average glucose levels in blood of animals that received only hyperglycemic diet for 8 days and were treated with saline (0.9% NaCl) for 16 days and the average blood glucose of hyperglycemic animals that received the diet over 8 days and treated with an aqueous extract of Costus spicatus for 16 days. From the statistical analysis of the results of this study, it can be speculated that the decrease in glucose was response to the Costus spicatus effect in the treated group (p <0.005) and was associated with a potentiation of insulin release from pancreatic islets and strengthening use peripheral glucose.