Investigations Into the Anti-Diabetic Activity of Azadirachta Indica

Objective: To investigate the anti-diabetic activity of Azadirachta Indica using IDDM and NIDDM animal models. Methods: Streptozotocin induced models of IDDM (65 mg/kg, iv) as well as NIDDM model (90 mg/kg, i.p in neonates) were given neem leaf extract (NLE, 1 g/kg, po) for 6 weeks and their anti-diabetic activity was assessed. Results: The treatment with insulin, aqueous NLE, aqueous NLE with insulin and insulin with aminoguanidine showed a fall in blood glucose levels of 80, 45.4, 38.02 and 77-65% whereas in NIDDM model, a fall of 53.95 and 60.50% were observed with glibenclamide and NLE. Conclusion: Aqueous extract of NLE has a good therapeutic potential as anti-hyperglycaemic agent in IDDM and NIDDM.