Effects of Crystal Derived from Stevia rebaudiana Leaves on Alloxan Induced Type-1 Diabetic Mice

The study was undertaken to investigate the antidiabetic effects of crystals derived from Stevia rebaudiana leaves in normal rats and alloxan induced diabetic mice. Normal rats were used to evaluate whether the stevia crystal have any adverse effects on body weight and blood glucose of healthy rats. The rats were divided into two groups (n=5); healthy control rats and stevia treated healthy rats (1 g/kg/day orally). To evaluate the antidiabetic effects of stevia crystal, mice were divided into five equal (n=5) groups; healthy control, diabetic control, stevia crystal @ 250 and 500 mg/kg bwt, and Amaryl^® @ 800 µg/kg daily to compare the efficacy. Alloxan monohydrate was injected in mice at a dose rate of 120 mg/kg intraperitoneally for diabetic induction. Result of the present study showed that stevia crystal at a high daily dose did not have any significant effect on body weight but it reduced blood glucose level non-significantly in healthy animal. The antidiabetic effects of stevia crystal was evaluated based on glucose lowering capacity, improvement of body weight loss, changes in lipid profile, and renal and pancreas protective capacity. Treatment with stevia crystal @500 mg/kg improved body weight loss and reduced blood glucose level significantly (P<0.01) in diabetic animal. Stevia @500 mg/kg decreased cholesterol level non-significantly whereas it reduce the triglyceride level significantly (P<0.01). In histopathology study, stevia crystal showed renal and pancreas protective effect with slightly restoration of structural damage in both organs. Based on present studies data it may conclude that crystalline compounds derived from Stevia rebaudiana leaves may have antidiabetic properties that need further characterization.