Evaluation of In Vivo Efficacy of Aqueous Extract of Aerial Parts of Cynodon dactylon in Rats with Simultaneous Type 2 Diabetes and Hypertension

Objective: The current study was planned to analyze the effects of the aqueous extract of Cynodon dactylon (AECD) in a rat model of Streptozotocin (STZ) induced-diabetes and nitric oxide (NO)-deficient hypertension. Materials and Methods: Diabetes was induced by a single dose of STZ (55 mg/kg, i.p., in 0.1M citrate buffer, pH 4.5). To induce the NO-deficient hypertension, rats were treated with the Nitric Oxide synthase inhibitor- NG-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester; L-NAME (0.5 mg/ml), p.o. for 4 weeks. The effects observed after 28 days treatment with aq. extract of Cynodon dactylon 200 mg kg per day were evaluated in diabetic–hypertensive rats. In all groups, body weight of animals was measured weekly throughout the study (28 days). Blood glucose level and total cholesterol level were measured at day 0 after induction of diabetes and at day 28. Arterial blood pressure of all the groups were measured at day 14 and day 28 by tail cuff method. At the end of experiment, Serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (SGOT) level in all groups was measured. Results: A decrease in body weight was observed in the case of STZ diabetic, L-NAME and D+L-NAME control groups whereas no loss in the weight of animal was observed in the group treated with the aqueous extract of C. dactylon. The study showed that a) aqueous leaf extract of Cynodon dactylon prevented attenuation of the blood glucose and total cholesterol in all the groups; b) significant decrease in Mean Arterial Blood Pressure (MABP) and c) decrease in SGOT level. Conclusion: The traditional use of Cynodon dactylon for the treatment of diabetes and arterial hypertension is supported by the findings of present study, and indicate that it may have a beneficial effect in patients with co-existing diabetic hypertension.