Comparative evaluation of antidiabetic activity of Rosmarinus officinalis L. and Chamomile recutita in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats

Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disorder characterized by hyperglycemic, glucoseurea and negative nitrogen balance and it is mainly due to lack of insulin secretion in beta cells of pancreas and desensitization of insulin receptors for insulin. It is the most prevalent disease in the world affecting 25% of population and afflicts 150 million people and is set to rise to 300 million by 2025 (Vats et al., 2005). It causes number of complications like retinopathy, neuropathy, and peripheral vascular insufficiencies (Chehadeet al., 2005). Diabetes is still not completely curable by the present anti diabetic agents. Insulin therapy is the only satisfactory approach in diabetic mellitus, even though it has several drawbacks like insulin resistance (Piedrolaet al., 2001), anorexia, brain atrophy and fatty liver in chronic treatment (Weidmannet al., 1993). Herbal drugs are gaining popularity in the treatment of diabetic mellitus (Pariet al., 1999). The major advantages of herbal medicine seem to be their efficacy, low incidence of side effects, and low cost.