Evaluation of in-vivo antioxidant and oral glucose tolerance test of ethanolic extract of Calotropis gigantea Linn. against streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

Abstract

Antioxidant compounds play an important role in preventing or delaying the onset of major degenerative diseases. The physiological role of antioxidant compounds is to scavenge for free radicals. Active oxygen (hydroxyl, peroxyl radicals and single oxygen) is highly toxic and an important causative agent of many diseases including cancer, heart disease, cataract and congestive disorders. Antioxidant compounds block the oxidation processes that produce free radicals which contribute towards these chronic diseases and aging. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the in- vivo antioxidant activity of Calotropis gigantea Linn. against streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.