Dose dependent hypoglycemic effect of aqueous extract of Enicostemma littorale blume in alloxan induced diabetic rats.

Previous studies in our lab had confirmed the blood glucose lowering effect of E. littorale Blume in alloxan induced diabetic rats with no change in normoglycemic control rats. Present paper deals with dose dependent (0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.5, 3.5 g dry plant equivalent extract/100 g body wt., p.o.) blood glucose lowering effect of aqueous extract of E. littorale Blume in alloxan induced diabetic rats. The effective dose was found to be 1.5 g dry plant equivalent extract/100 g body wt.. The above dose caused significant decrease in glycosylated haemoglobin, liver glucose-6-phosphatase activity and significant increase in serum insulin levels of the diabetic rats. No significant changes were observed in the toxicity parameters of extract treated diabetic rats as compared to diabetic control rats. The above results suggest that E. littorale is a potent antidiabetic agent without any toxic effect at this particular dose (1.5 g dry plant equivalent extract/100 g body wt.).     

Hypoglycemic effect of aqueous extract of Enicostemma littorale Blume (chhota chirayata) on alloxan induced diabetes mellitus in rats

The whole plant aqueous extract of E. littorale was tested for its hypoglycemic activity on normoglycemic, hyperglycemic and alloxan induced diabetic rats. Blood sugar lowering activity was not observed in normoglycemic and glucose loaded hyperglycemic rats in the short time experiment. But in case of diabetic rats, the fall of blood sugar after 30 days treatment with the aqueous extract was found to be significant (P < 0.001). The decrease in the plasma glucose level was accompanied with decrease in the level of glycosylated haemoglobin and glucose-6-phosphatase activity in liver. The potent anti-diabetic properties of E. littorale has been reported for the first time.     

Coconut products alleviate hyperglycaemic,hyperlipidimic and nephropathy indices in streptozotocin-induced diabetic wistar rats

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a chronic and one of the most common metabolic diseases affecting large proportion of world population. Diabetes-induced changes in lipid and renal parameters are major risk factors contributing to diabetic complications such as diabetic nephropathy and cardiovascular diseases. Due to adverse effects associated with pharmacological intervention in the T2DM treatment, there is an increased interest in the research focussing on identifying novel plant based therapeutic agents. Here we report the effects of various coconut products on diabetic, lipid and renal parameters in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rat model. Diabetic rats demonstrated a significant increase in serum glucose, and glycated haemoglobin levels (HbA1c). Lipid parameters including triglycerides, total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-cholesterol) and very low density lipoprotein cholesterol (VLDL-cholesterol) were found to be significantly increased, while high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-cholesterol) was significantly declined in diabetic rats. Diabetic rats also displayed increased serum and kidney creatinine, urea, and total protein levels and increased urine glucose, urea, albumin and creatinine levels. Contrastingly, treatment with virgin and filtered coconut oils, coconut water and coconut milk resulted in a significant reversal in the levels of above studied parameters in diabetic rats. Further, these coconut products markedly prevented diabetes induced histopathological changes in kidney tissue. Collectively, the data demonstrate the antidiabetic, hypolipidemic and renal protective properties of various coconut products and underscore the importance of regular consumption of plant based medicinal products in the treatment of T2DM and its complications.     

Effect of Olea europaea leaves extract on streptozotocin induced diabetes in male albino rats

The present study was aimed to evaluate the effect of olive (Olea europaea) leaves extract on streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic male rats. The experimental rats were divided into six groups. Rats of the first group were served as normal controls. Rats of the second group were diabetic control. The third and fourth groups were diabetic rats, treated with olive leaves extract at low and high doses respectively. The fifth and sixth groups were non diabetic rats, subjected to olive leaves extract at the same doses given to the third and fourth groups respectively. The minimum of body weigh gain was noted in diabetic rats of the second group. the levels of serum glucose, insulin, total protein, albumin, triglycerides, cholesterol, low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), very low density lipoprotein cholesterol (VLDL-C), creatine kinase (CK), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and malondialdehyde (MDA) were significantly increased, while the levels of high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), superoxide dismutase, (SOD) glutathione (GSH) and catalase (CAT) were statistically decreased in diabetic rats of the second group. The levels of liver insulin receptor substrate 1 (IRS1) and insulin receptor A (IRA) were significantly declined in diabetic rats of the second group. The diabetic pancreatic sections from diabetic rats of the second group showed several histopathological changes. Administration of low and high doses of olive leaves extract improved the observed physiological, molecular and histopathological alterations. Collectively, the obtained results confirmed that the protective effects of olive leaves extract are attributed to the antioxidant activities of olive leaves extract and its active constituents.     

Inhibition of endogenous glucose production accounts for hypoglycemic effect of Spergularia purpurea in streptozotocin mice.

The purpose of this study was to determine the underlying mechanism of the hypoglycemic activity of the aqueous extract perfusion of Spergularia purpurea (SP) in diabetic mice and streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. The aqueous extract was administered intravenously and the blood glucose levels were determined within 4 hours after starting the treatment. Plasma insulin concentrations and endogenous glucose production were also determined. The aqueous extract at a dose of 10 mg/kg produced a significant decrease in blood glucose levels in normal rats (P < 0.05), and even more in diabetic rats (P < 0.001). This hypoglycemic effect might be due to an extra-pancreatic action of the aqueous extract of SP, since the basal plasma insulin concentrations were unchanged after SP treatment. In diabetic mice, a similar effect was observed and the results showed that aqueous extract of SP caused a potent inhibitor effect on basal endogenous glucose production (p < 0.001). We conclude that aqueous extract perfusion of SP inhibits endogenous glucose production in mice. This inhibition is at least one mechanism explaining the observed hypoglycemic activity of this plant in diabetic animals.     

Antidiabetic properties of polysaccharide- and polyphenolic-enriched fractions from the brown seaweed Ascophyllum nodosum

We screened seaweed species from Atlantic Canada for antidiabetic activity by testing extracts for alpha-glucosidase inhibitory effect and glucose uptake stimulatory activity. An aqueous ethanolic extract of Ascophyllum nodosum was found to be active in both assays, inhibiting rat intestinal alpha-glucosidase (IC50 = 77 microg/mL) and stimulating basal glucose uptake into 3T3-L1 adipocytes during a 20-minute incubation by about 3-fold (at 400 microg/mL extract). Bioassay-guided fractionation of the A. nodosum extract showed that alpha-glucosidase inhibition was associated with polyphenolic components in the extract. These polyphenolics, along with other constituents appeared to be responsible for the stimulatory activity on glucose uptake. However, attempts to further concentrate this activity through fractionation techniques were unsuccessful. A crude polyphenol extract (PPE), an enriched polyphenolic fraction (PPE-F1) and a polysaccharide extract (PSE) were prepared from commercial A. nodosum powder and administered to streptozotocin-diabetic mice for up to 4-weeks by daily gavage at 200 mg/kg body mass. PPE and PPE-F1 improved fasting serum glucose level in diabetic mice; however, the effect was only statistically significant at day 14. In addition, PPE-F1 was shown to blunt the rise in blood glucose after an oral sucrose tolerance test in diabetic mice. Mice treated with PPE and PPE-F1 had decreased blood total cholesterol and glycated serum protein levels compared with untreated diabetic mice, whereas PPE also normalized the reduction in liver glycogen level that occurred in diabetic animals. All 3 A. nodosum preparations improved blood antioxidant capacity.     

Assessment of In Vivo Antidiabetic Properties of Umbelliferone and Lupeol Constituents of Banana (Musa sp. var. Nanjangud Rasa Bale) Flower in Hyperglycaemic Rodent Model

Banana is an extensively cultivated plant worldwide, mainly for its fruit, while its ancillary product, the banana flower is consumed as a vegetable and is highly recommended for diabetics in the traditional Indian medicine system. This study is based on an investigation of the in vivo antihyperglycaemic activity of Umbelliferone (C1) and Lupeol (C2) isolated from the ethanol extract of banana flower (EF) in alloxan induced diabetic rat model. Diabetic rats which were administered with C1, C2 and EF (100 and 200 mg/kg b. wt.) for 4 weeks showed deterioration in fasting hyperglycaemia and reversal of abnormalities in serum/urine protein, urea and creatinine, when compared to the diabetic control group of rats. The diabetic group of rats fed with EF, C1 and C2 (100 mg/kg b. wt.) once daily, for a period of 28 days resulted in a significant reduction of diabetic symptoms viz., polyphagia, polydipsia, polyuria and urine sugar together with an improved body weight. HbA1c extent was reduced whereas levels of insulin and Hb were increased. Both the extract and compounds wielded positive impacts in diabetic rats by reversal of altered activities of hepatic marker enzymes viz., aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP); glycolytic enzyme (hexokinase); shunt enzyme (glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase); gluconeogenic enzymes (glucose-6-phosphatase, fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase, lactate dehydrogenase) and pyruvate kinase. The characteristic diabetic complications such as hypercholesterolemia and hypertriacylglycerolemia also significantly reverted to normal in the serum/liver of diabetic rats. Besides these, the treatment increased the activities of enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants in the serum and liver. The histological observations revealed a marked regeneration of the β-cells in the drug treated diabetic rats. In conclusion, the present study illustrates that EF, C1 and C2 enhances the glycolytic activities, besides increasing the hepatic glucose utilization in diabetic rats by stimulating insulin secretion from the remnant β-cells along with potential enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidant activities.     

A Possible Connection Between Antidiabetic & Antilipemic Properties of Psoralea corylifolia Seeds and the Trace Elements Present: A LIBS Based Study

Psoralea corylifolia (PC), a medicinal plant, is used in traditional medicine to treat diabetes. Purpose of the research was to examine the antidiabetic and antilipemic potential of PC and to determine the relationship between its antidiabetic potential and the trace elements present. Wistar rats (150–200 g) with fasting blood glucose (FBG) of 80–110 mg?dl^?1(sub-diabetic) and 150–200 mg?dl^?1(mild diabetic) were selected for the short term antidiabetic studies and severely diabetic rats (FBG?>?300 mg?dl^?1) were chosen for the long term antidiabetic and hypolipemic studies of PC seed extract. Laser induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) was used to detect trace elements in the PC extract and the intensity ratios of trace elements were estimated. The dose of 250 mg?kg^?1 of PC extract was found to be the most effective in lowering blood glucose level (BGL) of normal, sub, mild and severely diabetic rats during FBG and glucose tolerance test (GTT) studies. Lipid profile studies on severely diabetic rats showed substantial reduction in total cholesterol, triglycerides, very low density lipoprotein, and low density lipoprotein and an increase in the total protein, body weight, high density lipoprotein, and hemoglobin after 28 days of treatment. Significant reduction in urine sugar and protein levels was also observed. LIBS analysis of the PC extract revealed the presence of Mg, Si, Na, K, Ca, Zn and Cl. The study validates the traditional use of PC in the treatment of diabetes and confirms its antilipemic potential. The antidiabetic activity of PC extract may partly be due to the presence of appreciable amounts of insulin potentiating elements like Mg, Ca, and K.     

Preliminary studies on antihyperglycemic effect of aqueous extract of Brassica nigra (L.) Koch in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats

In the streptozotocin induced diabetic rats treated separately with aqueous, ethanol, acetone and chloroform extracts of the seeds of B. nigra, the increase in serum glucose value between 0 and 1 hr of glucose tolerance test (GTT) was the least (29 mg/dl) in aqueous extract treated animals while it was 54, 44 and 44 mg/dl with chloroform, acetone and ethanol extracts respectively. In further studies carried out with aqueous extract, the effective dose was found to be 200 mg/kg body weight in GTT. Administration of 200 mg/kg body weight of aqueous extract to diabetic animals daily once for one month brought down fasting serum glucose (FSG) levels while in the untreated group FSG remained at a higher value. In the treated animals the increase in glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) and serum lipids was much less when compared with the levels in untreated diabetic controls. These findings suggest that further studies with the aqueous extract of B. nigra seeds on its antidiabetic activity would be useful.     

微量元素对糖尿病大鼠糖脂代谢的影响

目的观察微量元素铬对糖尿病大鼠糖脂代谢的影响。方法选糖尿病大鼠经灌胃给予有机铬水溶液治疗12周后,分别观察口服有机铬200μg/d及400μg/d的糖尿病大鼠空腹血糖及血脂水平(血清总胆固醇、甘油三酯、低密度脂蛋白和高密度脂蛋白)。实验分为4组:1组为正常对照组;2组为铬200μg/d组;3组为铬400μg/d组;4组为糖尿病对照组。结果有机铬具有明显降低血糖、血清总胆固醇、低密度脂蛋白和甘油三酯及升高高密度脂蛋白的作用(P0.05~P0.01)。结论有机铬能明显改善糖尿病大鼠的糖脂代谢。     

Antihyperlipidemic Effect of Fisetin,a Bioflavonoid of Strawberries,Studied in Streptozotocin‐Induced Diabetic Rats

Chronic hyperglycemia in diabetes is associated with profound changes in lipid and lipoprotein metabolism, with resultant alterations in particle distribution within lipoprotein classes. In the present study, an attempt has been made to explore the antihyperlipidemic effect of fisetin in streptozotocin‐induced experimental diabetes in rats. Upon fisetin treatment to diabetic rats, the levels of blood glucose were significantly reduced with an improvement in plasma insulin. The increased levels of lipid contents in serum, hepatic, and renal tissues observed in diabetic rats were normalized upon fisetin administration. Also, the decreased levels of high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol, and increased levels of low‐density lipoprotein (LDL) and very LDL (VLDL) cholesterol in serum of diabetic rats were normalized. Oil Red O staining established a large number of intracellular lipid droplets accumulation in the diabetic rats. Fisetin treatment exacerbated the degree of lipid accumulation. The results of the present study exemplify the antihyperlipidemic property of the fisetin.     

南瓜多糖对糖尿病大鼠血糖和血脂的影响

目的：研究南瓜多糖对糖尿病大鼠血糖和血脂的影响。方法：Wistar大鼠腹腔注射四氧嘧啶后。将成模的糖尿病大鼠根据血糖和体重随机分为糖尿病组、消渴丸组和南瓜多糖组,同时设立正常对照组,并分别给予蒸馏水、消渴丸和南瓜多糖灌胃,每周测量体重一次,四周后测定空腹血糖、血清总胆固醇、甘油三酯、高密度脂蛋白、低密度脂蛋白和游离脂肪酸的含量。结果：糖尿病组大鼠体重下降,血糖显著升高,甘油三酯、总胆固醇、低密度脂蛋白和游离脂肪酸含量显著增加,而高密度脂蛋白含量显著降低;补充南瓜多糖和消渴丸后,体重逐渐增加,血糖显著下降,总胆固醇、甘油三酯、低密度脂蛋白和游离脂肪酸含量显著降低,高密度脂蛋白含量显著升高,并且南瓜多糖的降糖降脂效果优于消渴丸。结论：南瓜多糖能增加体重,降低糖尿病大鼠血糖、血脂,对糖尿病及其并发症有一定的作用。     

Hypoglycemic effect of Sclerocarya birrea {(A. Rich.) Hochst.} [Anacardiaceae] stem-bark aqueous extract in rats

This study was undertaken to evaluate the hypoglycemic effect of Sclerocarya birrea [(A. Rich.) Hochst.] subspecies caffra (Sond.) Kokwaro [family: Anacardiaceae] stem-bark aqueous extract in normal (normoglycemic) and in streptozotocin (STZ)-treated, diabetic Wistar rats. In one set of experiments, graded doses of S. birrea stem-bark aqueous extract (SB, 100-800 mg/kg p.o.) were separately administered to groups of fasted normal and fasted diabetic rats. In another set of experiments, a single dose of the plant aqueous extract (SB, 800 mg/kg p.o.) was used. The hypoglycemic effect of this single dose (SB, 800 mg/kg p.o.) of S. birrea stem-bark aqueous extract was compared with that of chlorpropamide (250 mg/kg p.o.) in both fasted normal and fasted diabetic rats. Following acute treatment, relatively moderate to high doses of S. birrea stem-bark extract (SB, 100-800 mg/kg p.o.) produced dose-dependent, significant reductions (P < 0.05-0.001) in the blood glucose concentrations of both fasted normal and fasted diabetic rats. Chlorpropamide (250 mg/kg p.o.) also produced significant reductions (P < 0.05-0.001) in the blood glucose concentrations of the fasted normal and fasted diabetic rats. Administrations of the single dose of S. birrea stem-bark aqueous extract (SB, 800 mg/kg p.o.) significantly reduced (P 0.01 < 0.001) the blood glucose levels of both fasted normal (normoglycemic) and fasted STZ-treated, diabetic rats. The results of this experimental animal study indicate that aqueous extract of Sclerocarya birrea possesses hypoglycemic activity, and thus lend credence to the suggested folkloric use of the plant in the management and/or control of adult-onset, type-2 diabetes mellitus in some African communities.     

Evaluation of the Anti‐Diabetic Activity of Polysaccharide from Cordyceps cicadae in Experimental Diabetic Rats

Cordyceps cicadae is a medicinal fungus used in treating night sweat, childhood convulsions, vision improvement and pain. This study was designed to evaluate the anti‐diabetic activity of the crude polysaccharide (SHF) from the mycelium and body portion of C. cicadae. Diabetes mellitus was induced in the rat with a single intravenous injection of alloxan monohydrate (150 mg/kg). In other to evaluate the anti‐diabetic effects of C. cicadae polysaccharide in alloxan‐induced diabetic rats, the crude polysaccharide (SHF at 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg body weight) and glibenclamide were administered orally to diabetic rats for 30 days. Blood glucose level, total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), low density lipoprotein (LDL), high density lipoprotein (HDL), alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphate (ALP), creatinine (CREA), urea, malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH) were determined. SHF showed significant reduction in blood glucose in diabetic rats. Treatment of diabetic rats also resulted an improvement in body weights, increased HDL, SOD and GSH, as well as decreased TC, TG, LDL, MDA, urea, CREA, ALT, AST and ALP. These results suggested that C. cicadae polysaccharide displayed anti‐hyperglycemic, anti‐hyperlipidemic and antioxidant activities and could be a promising therapeutic source in managing diabetes mellitus and its associated complications.     

Antidiabetic effect of Cogent db,a herbal drug in alloxan-induced diabetes mellitus

Cogent db, a compound herbal drug, was investigated for its possible antidiabetic effect in alloxan-induced diabetic rats. Oral administration of 0.15, 0.30 and 0.45 g/kg body wt. of the aqueous solution of Cogent db for 40 days exhibited a significant reduction in blood glucose, glycosylated haemoglobin and increased plasma insulin, total haemoglobin along with antihyperlipidemic effects in diabetic rats. The effective dose was found to be 0.45 g/kg body wt. It also prevents body weight loss in diabetic rats. An oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) was also performed in experimental diabetic rats in which there was a significant improvement in glucose tolerance in rats treated with Cogent db. A comparison was made between the action of Cogent db and a known antidiabetic drug — glibenclamide (600 μg/kg body wt.). The antidiabetic effect of Cogent db was more effective than that observed with glibenclamide.     

Hypoglycemic effect of Belamcanda chinensis leaf extract in normal and STZ-induced diabetic rats and its potential active faction

Belamcanda chinensis (Iridaceae) belongs to the family of iridaceae and its rhizoma has been widely used for the treatment of throat ailment. Here we report a new pharmacological activity of B. chinensis leaf extract (BCL), that is, the hypoglycemic effect in normal and STZ-induced diabetic rats. Animals either healthy or STZ-induced diabetic show significantly lowered fasting blood glucose levels after treatment with BCL. The serum insulin concentration in normal rats is also enhanced. Additionally, the increase in blood glucose levels after administration of various carbohydrates in normal rats is significantly decreased and the oral glucose tolerance (OGTT) of STZ-induced diabetic rats is largely improved by BCL treatment. However, co-administration of BCL with Nifedipine, a Ca²⁺ ion channel blocker, or Nicorandil, an ATP-sensitive K⁺ ion channel opener thoroughly abolishes the hypoglycemic effect of BCL. HPLC analysis and compound identification showed that several isoflavone glycosides with antidiabetic activities were contained in BCL while pharmacological experiment showed that the polysaccharide fraction of BCL had no significant hypoglycemic effect on normal rats. Therefore, the isoflavone glycosides but not polysaccharides might be the active fraction of BCL in diabetes treatment.     

Antihyperglycemic and antioxidant effect of hydroethanolic extract of Butea monosperma bark in diabetic mice

The antihyperglycemic, antihyperlipidemic and antioxidative properties of hydroethanolic extract of Butea monosperma bark were investigated in alloxan-induced diabetic mice. Alloxan administration resulted in higher blood glucose level and reduced hepatic glycogen content as compared to normal animals. Besides, serum lipid profile parameters such as total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), low density lipoprotein (LDL) and very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) cholesterol were also found to be significantly elevated, whereas the level of high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol was markedly reduced in diabetic animals. Oxidative damage in the tissues of diabetic mice was evidenced by a marked increase in the level of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), distinct decrease in reduced glutathione (GSH) content and declined activity of antioxidant enzymes, such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px). The daily treatment of diabetic animals with crude extract of B. monosperma bark (300 mg kg(-1)) for 45 days significantly lowered blood glucose level and elevated hepatic glycogen content, bringing the values close to those observed in normal control and glibenclamide-treated diabetic mice. Furthermore, the level of various lipid profile parameters was also reversed towards normal. TBARS and GSH also restored towards normal and the declined activity of antioxidant enzymes in diabetic animals was also normalized in crude extract administered mice, thus indicating the antioxidant efficacy of the drug in diabetes-induced oxidative damage. Significant antihyperglycemic and antioxidant potential of the crude extract of B. monosperma bark indicated that it may find use in the management of diabetes and resultant oxidative stress.     

Effects of Momordica charantia on pancreatic histopathological changes associated with streptozotocin-induced diabetes in neonatal rats

The aim of this research was to determine the effects of Momordica charantia (MC) fruit aqueous extract on pancreatic histopathological changes in neonatal STZ-induced type-II diabetic rats. Diabetes mellitus was induced in one day Sprague-Dawley neonatal rats using a single intrapretoneal injection of streptozotocin (STZ) (85 mg/kg body weight) and monitored for 12 weeks thereafter. The diabetic rats were separated into three groups, as follows: the diabetic control group (i.e. nSTZ), the diabetic group (i.e. nSTZ/M) - which was orally given 20 mg/kg of MC fruit extract, and the diabetic group (i.e. nSTZ/G) - that was treated with glibenclamide, 0.1 mg/kg for a period of four weeks. At the end of treatment, the animals were sacrificed and blood samples were collected from the saphenous vein to measure the blood glucose and serum insulin level. The pancreatic specimens were removed and processed for light microscopy, electron microscopy examination and immunohistochemical study. The results of this study showed that MC fruit aqueous extract reduced the blood glucose level as well as glibenclamide and increased the serum insulin level in the treated diabetic rats (P<0.05). The fruit extract of MC alleviated pancreatic damage and increased the number of β-cells in the diabetic treated rats (P<0.05). Our results suggest that oral feeding of MC fruit extract may have a significant role in the renewal of pancreatic β-cells in the nSTZ rats.     

Antihyperglycaemic activity of aqueous extract of Embelia ribes Burm in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

Forty days of orally feeding the aqueous E. ribes extract (100 and 200 mg/kg) to streptozotocin (40 mg/kg, iv, single dose) induced diabetic rats produced significant decrease in heart rate, systolic blood pressure, blood glucose, blood glycosylated hemoglobin, serum lactate dehydrogenase, creatine kinase and increase in blood glutathione levels as compared to pathogenic diabetic rats. Further, the extract significantly decreased the levels of pancreatic lipid peroxides and increased the levels of pancreatic superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione. The results suggest that aqueous E. ribes extract exhibits a significant blood glucose and blood pressure lowering potential. Further, it enhances endogenous antioxidant defense against free radicals produced under hyperglycaemic conditions, thereby, seemingly protects the pancreatic beta-cells against loss in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats.     

Antihyperlipidemic effect of D-pinitol on streptozotocin-induced diabetic Wistar rats

D-pinitol (3-O-methyl-chiroinositol), an active principle of the traditional antidiabetic plant, Bougainvillea spectabilis, is claimed to exert insulin-like effects. This study was undertaken to evaluate the effect of D-pinitol on lipids and lipoproteins in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic Wistar rats. Rats were made type II diabetic by single intraperitoneal injection of STZ at a dose of 40 mg/kg body weight. STZ-induced diabetic rats showed significant (p < 0.05) increase in the levels of blood glucose and total cholesterol, triglycerides, free fatty acids, and phospholipids in serum, liver, kidney, heart, and brain. The levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) cholesterol were significantly increased, and the level of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol was significantly decreased in diabetic rats Oral administration of D-pinitol to STZ-induced diabetic rats showed significant (p < 0.05) decrease in the levels of blood glucose and total cholesterol, triglycerides, free fatty acids, and phospholipids in serum, liver, kidney, heart, and brain. The D-pinitol also lowered significantly (p < 0.05) LDL and VLDL cholesterol levels and increased significantly (p < 0.05) HDL cholesterol levels in the serum of diabetic rats. Thus, the present study clearly showed the antihyperlipidemic effect of D-pinitol in STZ-induced type II diabetic rats.