Evaluation of the Antidiabetic Effects of Methanolic
Extracts of Neem (Azadirachta indica) Seeds on the
Streptozotocin-induced Wistar Rats
Alduwish M Abduallah1*, Ahmed Ezzat
Ahmed2, Majed A Bajaber3 and Ahlam A Alalwiat3
1Department
of Biology, College of Science and Humanities in Al-Kharj, Prince
Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University, Alkharj 11942, Saudi Arabia
2Department
of Biology, College of Science, King Khalid University, P.O. Box
9004, Abha 61413, Saudi Arabia
3Department
of Chemistry, College of Science, King Khalid University,
P.O. Box 9004, Abha 61413, Saudi Arabia
*Corresponding author:
m.aldawish@psau.edu.sa
Abstract
Plants are among the most prominent candidates in
herbal medicine. Vast research is being performed for effective plants against
diabetes. This experiment aimed to evaluate the effects of administering the
methanolic extract of Neem (Azadirachta indica: MEN) at different
concentrations, 150, 250 and 350 mg/kg body weight orally on the serum and body
weight parameters of diabetic rats, and to compare these results with those of
the standard medicated and non-diabetic control groups. The MEN and controls
underwent a 28-day therapy, during which the impact on liver function parameters
and serum glucose levels was observed. The estimated parameters included alanine
aminotransferase, aspartate transferase, serum cholesterol, glucose, uric acid,
urea, triglycerides, and creatinine. The results showed that the effects of the
MENwere in a dose-dependent manner. There was a significant (p<0.05)
increase in weight gain and a decrease in glucose levels in the treated groups.
The lipid profile and liver and kidney function-related serum parameters
remained normal in the groups treated with MEN at a dose rate of 350 mg/kg. The
350 mg/kg concentration results were comparable (p>0.05) to the standard
medicated group. The findings of the study revealed that the administration of
methanolic extract of Neem at a dose rate of 350 mg/kg can effectively control
hepatic damage and serum parameters. Considering the findings from this
research, it can be suggested that the methanolic extract of Neem seeds warrants
further investigation as a potential antidiabetic agent. One important step in
this process would be to identify the specific components of the extract that
contribute to its effectiveness. Further research should be conducted to
determine the optimal therapeutic dose of the methanolic extract of Neem seeds.
To Cite This Article:
Abduallah AM, Ahmed AE, Bajaber MA and Alalwiat
AA, 2023. Evaluation of the antidiabetic effects of methanolic extracts of neem
(Azadirachta indica) seeds on the streptozotocin-induced wistar rats.
Pak Vet J, 43(4): 792-798. http://dx.doi.org/10.29261/pakvetj/2023.106