Anti-diabetic effects of aqueous prickly lettuce (Lactuca scariola Linn.) leaves extract in alloxan-induced male diabetic rats treated with nickel (II).

BACKGROUND: Hattaraki pallye or prickly lettuce (Lactuca scariola Linn.) is one among several green leafy plants that grow in north Karnataka; it is usually consumed by the people of this region and is found to be antidiabetic in nature. The objective of this study is to evaluate hypoglycemic activities of supplementation with aqueous extract of prickly lettuce (L. scariola) leaves in vivo in acute and subchronic exposure with or without nickel (II) along with its glucose reduction capabilities with or without nickel (II) at pH 7.0 and 9.0 in vitro. METHODS: Percentage glucose reduction (in vitro) was determined by glucose oxidase-peroxidase enzymatic method at pH 7.0 and pH 9.0 using UV-Vis spectrophotometer. Hypoglycemic activities of L. scariola were carried out in alloxan-induced male diabetic rats at both acute and subchronic exposure. RESULTS: The results showed a significant alteration in the λmax value of Ni (II) in combination with L. scariola leaves extracts at both pH 7.0 and 9.0. The aqueous extract also produced a significant reduction in the glucose concentration at pH 7.0 and pH 9.0 even in presence of Ni (II) in vitro. Lactuca scariola leaves in either acute or subchronic supplementation showed a greater glucose tolerance and hypoglycemic regulation of blood sugar in diabetic rats with or without nickel (II) treatments. CONCLUSIONS: Lactuca scariola leaves can be a substitute for synthetic drugs to treat diabetic patients.