Clinical research has confirmed the efficacy of several photochemicals in the modulation of oxidative stress associated with diabetes mellitus. In the present study, we have investigated the effect of Cassia auriculata L (CFEt), on antioxidants status in streptozotocin - nicotinamide induced diabetic rats. A single dose of streptozotocin (65 mg/kg body weight) produced decrease in insulin, hyperglycemia, increased lipid peroxidation (thiobarbituric reactive substances [TBARS] and lipid hydroperoxides) and decreased antioxidant levels (vitamin C, vitamin E, reduced glutathione, ceruloplasmin). Oral administration of CFEt ((0.45 g/kg)) for 45 days to diabetic rats significantly increased the plasma insulin and plasma antioxidants and significantly decreased the lipid peroxidation. The effect of CFEt was better when compared with glibenclamide. Results of the present study indicated that CFEt showed antioxidant effect in addition to its antidiabetic effect in type 2 diabetic rats.
