HYPOLIPEMIC ACTIVITY OF FICUS-CARICA LEAF EXTRACT IN STREPTOZOTOCIN-DIABETIC RATS

A decoction of Ficus carica significantly lowered plasma triglyceride levels in rats with insulin-dependent diabetes (streptozotocin 80 mg/k g body weight) when it was administered orally (357 +/- 206 mg/dL befo re administration and 81 +/- 81 mg/dL 3 weeks after administration, p < 0.01, n = 11), The plasma triglyceride levels in diabetic rats were also lower when the Gicus carica extract was administered intraperiton eally (608 +/- 391 mg/dL before administration; 444 +/- 310 mg/dL 90 m in after administration; and 106 +/- 129 mg/dL 48 h after administrati on; p < 0.005, n = 7). The cholesterolaemia remained unchanged.