In the light of the results, our study indicates that
Terminalia catappa leaves extracts have anti-diabetic activity. Aqueous and cold extracts of Terminalia catappa exhibited significant anti- hyperglycemic ac-tivities in alloxan-induced hyperglycemic rats without significant change in body weight. They also improved conditions of DM as indicated by parameters like bodyweight, and lipid profiles along with serum creatinine, serum urea, and serum alkaline phosphatase. The number of functionally intact β-cells in the islet organ is of decisive importance the development course and outcome of DM. The renewal of β-cells in diabetes has been studied in several animal models. The total β-cell mass reflects the balance between the renewal and loss of these cells. It was also suggested that regeneration of islet β-cells following destruction by alloxan may be the primary cause of the recovery of alloxan–injected guinea pigs fromthe effects of the drug [21]. In alloxan-induced diabetes, (-)-epicatechin [22] and Vinca roseaextract [23] have also shown to act by β-cell regeneration. Similar effect in streptozotacin treated diabetic animals were reported by pancreas tonic [24], ephedrine [25], and Gymnema Sylvestreleaf extracts [26]. In our studies, damage to pancreas in alloxan-treated diabetic control (Fig 2B), and regeneration of β-cells by glibenclamide (Fig 2C) was observed. A comparable regeneration was also shown by aqueous and cold extracts of Terminalia catappa (Fig 2D and Fig2E). This effect may be due to β-carotene, which was reported to be constituents of Terminalia catappa [27]. The beneficial role of β-carotene in reducing diabetic complications like glycosylation in alloxan-induced diabetic rats [12] had been reported previously. Photomicrographical data in our studies confirne healing of pancreas by Terminalia catappaleaves extracts, as a plausible mechanism of their anti diabetic activity. Aqueous and cold extract of Terminalia catappa leaves exhibited significant anti hyperglycemic activities in alloxan-induced diabetic rats. These extracts showed improvement in parameters like body weight and lipid profile as well as regeneration of β-cells of pancreas and so might be of value in diabetes treatment.