Antidiabetic activity of Ulva fasciata and its impact on carbohydrate metabol- ism enzymes in alloxan induced diabetic rats

Abstract

A group of 30 Wistar albino rats were selected and divided into five groups of six rats each. The hypoglycemic ef- fect of aqueous extract Ulva fasciata was evaluated in diabetic rats using two different dose (200 and 400 mg/kg) in terms of blood glucose, glycosylated hemoglobin and hepatic glycogen were examined in control and extract treated diabetic rats. The activities of carbohydrate metabolic enzymes like hexokinase, glucokinase and glucose 6 phosphatase in the liver were assessed. The extract was orally administered for 28days. The results showed that aqueous extract of Ulva fasciata significantly (p<0.05) reduced blood glucose level, and restored hepatic glycogen content and hexokinase, glucokinase and glucose 6 phosphatase activities. Though glycosylated hemogloblin le- vels were reduced, it was not statistically significant, the body weight of the treated group rats showed a gain in weight. These results prove the antidiabetic activity of Ulva fasciata.