Antidiabetic potential of aqueous extract of Allium cepa Linn. Red bulbs skin in Alloxan induced diabetic rats

Abstract

The plant Allium cepa Linn (Liliaceae) is commonly known as Pyajj in Hindi and Onion in English and its bulbs are reported to possess hypoglycemic activity. The skin of red variety onion bulbs is reported to contain flavonoids and various other phytoconstituents. This study is planned to evaluate the anti- diabetic potential of aqueous extract of A. cepa Linn. Red onion bulbs skin in alloxan induced (150 mg/kg) diabetic rats. Three doses (50mg, 100 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg) of the aqueous extract of bulbs skin were administered orally to diabetic rats. The blood glucose level was measured at 0, 1, 2, 3, 5 hours after the treatment. Metformin hydrochloride drug (120 mg/kg) was used as a reference standard. The aqueous extract of Allium cepa bulbs skin at (100mg/kg and 200mg/kg,) dose level produced significant (P