EVALUATION OF THE ANTI-HYPERGLYCEMIC POTENTIAL OF AQUEOUS NEEM (AZADIRACHTA INDICA) LEAF EXTRACT IN NORMAL AND STREPTOZOTOCIN-INDUCED DIABETIC RATS

Diabetes is a class of metabolic disorder characterized by a persistent hyperglycemic state caused by defect in insulin synthesis, insulin action, or combination of both. Medicinal plants have played important role in healthcare systems worldwide, particularly in developing countries. Neem (Azadirachta indica) is celebrated for its diverse applications, including its medicinal, agricultural, and therapeutic uses. Its leaves have been recognized for a broad spectrum of medicinal properties, particularly antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and blood sugar-regulating effects. This study evaluated the antihyperglycemic activity of its aqueous leave extracts. Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT) was done by inducing a hyperglycemic state via the administration of glucose solution (2mg/kg). Diabetes was induced by a single intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (STZ) (55 mg/kg). Aqueous neem leaf extract (NLE) produced statistically significant changes in blood sugar levels (P<0.05) in both OGTT and STZ-induced diabetic rats. The study demonstrated that aqueous NLE possesses hypoglycemic and antihyperglycemic activities in normoglycemic and STZ-induced diabetic rats, highlighting its potential as a prophylactic and therapeutic agent for diabetes management.