International Journal of Phytomedicine 2 (2010) 160-165 http://www.arjournals.org/ijop.html Research article Hypoglycemic and Hypolipidemic Effect of Sida rhombifolia ssp. retusa in Diabetic Induced Animals Kamlesh Dhalwal 1 , Vaibhav M. Shinde 1* , Bhagat Singh 2 , Kakasaheb R. Mahadik 1 *Corresponding author: Dr. Vaibhav M. Shinde 1. Poona College of Pharmacy, Bharati Vidyapeeth niversity, Erandwane, Pune- 411038 (INDIA) 2. Department of Pharmacology, Lupin Research Park, Pune – 411042, Maharashtra, India. E-mail address: vaibhavshinde2@rediffmail.com Telephone No.: +91-20-25437237, +91-20-25389728 Fax: +91-20-25439383 Abstract In the present study, the anti-diabetic effect of aqueous extract of Sida rhombifolia ssp. retusa (Malvaceae) leaves was studied in normal and streptozotocin (STZ)-induced (60 mg/kg, single intraperitoneal injection) diabetic rats. Hypoglycemic activity in normal rats was tested after administration of 200 mg/kg of extract. Aqueous extract showed a 15% reduction in plasma glucose level after 1.5 h of extract administration. When tested in STZ-induced diabetic rats the reduction in plasma glucose was 17%. In oral glucose tolerance test in normal rats and STZ-induced rats the decrease in AUC was 15 and 7% respectively. Glibenclamide was used as reference drug and showed significant hypoglycemic effects in normal rats but had marginal activity in STZ-induced diabetic rats. In hypolipidemic study a dose of 200 mg/kg of aqueous extract has shown reduction in triglycerides (TG) (16%), cholesterol (4%), and glucose level (10%). Fenofibrate was used as standard drug for hypolipidemic study. The results obtained from the experiment provided scientific evidence in favor of the traditional use of Sida rhombifolia ssp. retusa leaves for the treatment of diabetes mellitus. Keywords: Diabetes, Sida rhombifolia ssp. Retusa, hypoglycemic activity and hypolipidemic activity. Introduction Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disorder characterized by hyperglycemia and disturbances of carbohydrate, protein, and fat metabolisms or relative lack of the hormone insulin [1]. This metabolic disorder affecting approximately 4% of the population worldwide and is expected to increase by 5.4% in 2025 [2]. The disease becomes a real problem of public health in developing countries, where its prevalence is increasing steadily and adequate treatment is often expensive or unavailable [3]. Currently available oral anti-diabetic drugs that are used clinically for glycemic control include ulfonylureas, meglitinides, biguanides, α-glucosidase inhibitors, and thiazolidinediones (TZDs) [4]. Each class of drug carries the burden of drug-associated side effects [5]. All oral anti-diabetic drugs therapies have limited efficacy, and mechanism based side ISSN: 0975-0185 doi:10.5138/ijpm.2010.0975.0185.02025 ©arjournals.org, All rights reserved.