This project was undertaken to investigate the antihyperglycemic potential of roots of Zingiber officinale Linn. in Streptozotocin-nicotinamide induced hyperglycemic rats. In this study 95% ethanolic extract of roots of Zingiber officinale (commonly known as Ginger) was prepared with the help of soxlet apparatus. The two doses 250 and 500 mg/kg of body weight were selected by acute toxicity study. The higher dose was found to be more effective as it caused the maximum lowering of the fasting blood glucose in Streptozotocin-Nicotinamide induced Type II diabetic rats. The effect was noticed in both acute and sub-acute antihyperglycemic models. Administration of the effective dose of the extract to diabetic rats in chronic models (for 30 days) showed favorable effects not only on fasting blood glucose, but also on glycosylated hemoglobin and liver glycogen levels. The extracts also reflect high margin of safety, as no mortality was observed even after the administration of the extract at the dose of 2g/kg of body weight. Thus Zingiber officinale root appears to be a promising candidate for developing a new Anti-diabetic remedy.
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