Abstract
Background: Indinavir belongs to class of protease inhibitors which is widely used for the treatment of AIDS. Treatment with Indinavir may induce diabetic like symptoms and prolonged treatment leads to diabetes mellitus.

Aim and Objectives: To study the anti-hyperglycemic effect of Swertia chirata root extract on indinavir treated rats.

Materials and Methods: Swiss albino Wister rats were divided into seven groups of seven animals each. Group I (control) received normal saline (oral), Group II received Indinavir 216 mg/kg (oral), Group III received S. chirata root extract 500 mg/kg (oral), Group IV received pioglitazone 4 mg/kg (oral), Group V received metformin 180 mg/kg (oral), Group VI received pioglitazone 4 mg/kg (oral) along with S. chirata root extract 500 mg/kg (oral), and Group VII received metformin 180 mg/kg (oral) along with S. chirata root extract 500 mg/kg (oral). All the groups (Except control) were treated with indinavir 216 mg/kg (oral) for 15 days. Moreover, the treatment with extract and standard drug is carried out from day 8 to day 15. The biochemical estimations - such as serum glucose, Insulin, and lipid levels - were carried on day 15. Statistical analysis is performed using one-way analysis of variance followed by Bonferroni’s multiple comparison test.

Results: The group treated with indinavir (216 mg/kg) showed significant (P < 0.05) increase in biochemical parameters compared to the other groups. This shows that indinavir is capable of producing diabetic like symptoms in rats. The group treated with S. chirata root extract (500 mg/kg) decreases glucose and insulin levels and also improves lipid levels which are almost similar to the effect produced by the standard drug metformin and pioglitazone.

Conclusion: The treatment with indinavir produces elevated glucose, insulin, and lipid levels. The groups treated with S. chirata root extract showed improved glucose, insulin and lipid profile in Indinavir treated rats.

Key words: Protease Inhibitors; Indinavir; Insulin Resistance; Diabetes Mellitus; Hyperglycemia; Swertia chirata