represents the changes in body weight in normal and
experimental diabetic rats. STZ produced significant loss in body
weight as compared to normal rats during the study. Diabetic control
continued to lose weight till the end of the study while GMSt at
all the four doses (25, 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg bw) showed significant
improvement in body weight compared to diabetic control
group. There was no significant difference between the GMStand
glibenclamide-treated groups.
Results of the effect of graded doses of GMSt on blood glucose
level of STZ-induced diabetic rats are presented in Fig. 2. From
the first week onwards, a significant antihyperglycemic effect
was marked. The reduction in blood glucose was maximum on
the third week, with a significant increase in plasma insulin in rats
both receiving 100 mg/kg as well as 200 mg/kg of body weight of
GMSt and the results were comparable with that of glibenclamide.
STZ caused a significant decrease in serum insulin. Administration
of GMSt at all the four doses (25, 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg bw)
caused significant (p < 0.05) increase in insulin levels at the end
of the study. Of the four doses, 100 mg/kg showed maximum increase
which was comparable to glibenclamide (Fig. 3). There
was no significant difference in blood glucose and plasma insulin
between the rats receiving GMSt- 100 mg/kg bw and 200 mg/kg
bw. Hence, the group receiving GMSt (100 mg/kg bw) was used
for further studies. No significant modulation was observed in