INTRODUCTION
Diabetes mellitus is a chronic disease characterized by elevated blood glucose levels and disturbances in
carbohydrate, fat and protein metabolism [1]. The world is facing an explosive increase in the incidence of diabetes
mellitus which affects more than 100 million people worldwide [2] . The prevalence rate of diabetes is estimated to
be 1-5% in India [3] . These metabolic abnormalities result in part from a deficiency of the blood sugar- lowering
hormone insulin, this deficiency in insulin results in insulin dependent diabetes mellitus. (IDDM) . Non insulin
dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) is a result of hyperglycaemia caused by overproduction of glucose at the
hepatic level or because of abnormal b cell function or insulin resistance at target cell [4]. The chronic
hyperglycaemia of diabetes is associated with damage, dysfunction, and failure of various organs over the long term
[5] . Abnormalities in lipid profile are one of the most common complication in diabetes mellitus which is found in
more than 40% of diabetes [6] . The elevated lipids is significant risk factor for coronary heart disease [7]. Despite the
availability of many antidiabetic medicines in the market, diabetes and its related complication continue to be major
medical problems. Plant derivatives with purported hypoglycaemic properties are used in folk medicine and