Traditional medicines are originated from plants that do not form the constituents of routine diet. However, most of the medicinal plants have not received proper scientific scrutiny. Ananas comosus is one such plant, traditionally used for the treatment of various ailments. Hence, in the present study, an earnest attempt has been made to explore the antidiabetic and antioxidant properties of Ananas comosus leaves in STZ induced diabetic rats. The phytochemical screening of the Ananas comosus leaves extract indicated the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, phytosterol, glycosides and phenols. The effect of oral administration of Ananas comosus leaves extract (300mg/kg b.w.) on the levels of biochemical parameters were determined in experimental groups of rats. The altered levels of biochemical parameters in the diabetic rats were significantly reverted back to near basal values upon treatment with the leaves extract. The levels of glycogen content, the activities of glycogen metabolizing enzymes were improved upon treatment with the leaves extract. The elevated activities of serum aminotransferases and alkaline phosphatase were reduced upon treatment with the extract. The increased levels of lipid peroxides in the plasma and pancreatic tissues of diabetic rats were normalized significantly by the administration of leaves extract. The activities of pancreatic enzymatic and the levels of plasma non-enzymatic antioxidants were markedly declined in the diabetic rats. Upon treatment with leaves extract to diabetic rats, the decreased levels were elevated to near normal values. The results of the study indicate that Ananas comosus leaves extract possesses significant antidiabetic activity which in turn is partially due to its antioxidant nature. The biologically active ingredients present in the Ananas comosus leaves extract may account for the observed pharmacological action.
