Antidiabetic effects of isolated sterols from Ficus racemosa leaves

The present study was undertaken to evaluate the antidiabetic, hypolipidemic, and toxic effects of isolated sterols from Ficus racemosa (FR) leaves using streptozotocin induced diabetic rats. Diabetes was induced by the administration of streptozotocin (50 mg kg(-1)) intraperitoneally to albino rats. Three sterols were administered once a day for a period of seven days at a dose of 100 mg kg(-1) body weight. Blood glucose and body weight changes were measured at different (1st, 3rd, 5th, and 7th) days of the experiment. Serum lipid profiles and hepatic biomarker enzymes levels were measured and various antioxidant parameters in the liver and pancreas were also determined at the end of the experiment. Our results collectively suggested that the oral administration of sterols significantly reduced blood glucose level and restored body weight. Sterols also reduced serum lipid parameters and improved HDL (high density lipoprotein) as compared to a diabetic control group, signifying hypolipidemic action. They increased glutathione and various enzyme levels in the pancreas at the same time. Various oxidative stress parameters in the liver were decreased after sterols administration with respect to the diabetic control rats. Three sterols possessed antidiabetic, antioxidant, and hypolipidemic activities in STZ induced diabetic rats, which supported the use of FR as a supplement for future drug design perspectives.