Effects of sodium-orthovanadate and<Emphasis Type="Italic">Trigonella foenum-graecum</Emphasis> seeds on hepatic and renal lipogenic enzymes and lipid profile during alloxan diabetes

Sodium-orthovanadate (SOV) and seed powder ofTrigonella foenum graecum Linn. (common name: fenugreek, family: Fabaceae) (TSP) besides being potential hypoglycemic agents have also been shown to ameliorate altered lipid metabolism during diabetes. This study evaluates the short-term effect of oral administration of SOV and TSP separately and in concert (for 21 days) on total lipid profile and lipogenic enzymes in tissues of alloxan diabetic rats. Diabetic rats showed 4-fold increase in blood glucose. The level of total lipids, triglycerides and total cholesterol in blood serum increased significantly during diabetes. During diabetes the level of total lipids increased significantly (P < 0001) in liver and in kidney by 48% and 55%, respectively, compared to control. Triglycerides level increased by 32% (P < 001) in liver and by 51% (P < 0005) in kidney, respectively, compared to control. Total cholesterol level also increased significantly in both liver and kidney (P < 0.01 andP < 0001, respectively). The activities of NADP-linked enzymes; namely glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH), malic enzyme (ME), isocitrate dehydrogenase (ICDH), and the activities of lipogenic enzymes namely ATP-citrate lyase ΜTP-CL) and fatty acid synthase (FAS) were decreased significantly in liver and increased in kidney during diabetes as compared to control. SOV and TSP administration to diabetic animals prevented the development of hyperglycemia and alteration in lipid profile in plasma and tissues and maintained it near normal. Maximum prevention was observed in the combined treatment with lower dose of SOV (0.2%) after 21 days. We are presenting for the first time effectiveness of combined treatment of SOV and TSP in amelioration of altered lipid metabolism during experimental type-I diabetes     

Oral administration of orthovanadate and Trigonella foenum graecum seed powder restore the activities of mitochondrial enzymes in tissues of alloxan-induced diabetic rats

The effect of oral administration of sodium orthovanadate (SOV) and Trigonella foenum graecum seed powder (TSP), a medicinal plant used extensively in Asia, on the mitochondrial metabolism in the alloxan diabetic rats has been investigated. Rats were injected with alloxan monohydrate (20 mg/100 g body wt) or vehicle (Na-acetate buffer), the former were treated with either 2 IU insulin i.p., 0.6 mg/ml SOV ad libitum, 5% TSP ad libitum, and a combination of 0.2% SOV and 5% TSP ad libitum for 21 days. Selected rate-limiting enzymes of the tricarboxylic acid cycle, hydrogen shuttle system, ketone body metabolism, amino acid metabolism and urea cycle were measured in the mitochondrial and cytosolic fractions of liver, kidney and brain tissues of the experimental rats. Majority of the mitochondrial enzymes in the tissues of the diabetic rats had significantly higher activities compared to the control rats. Similarly, the activities of mitochondrial and cytosolic aminotransferases and arginase were significantly higher in liver and kidney tissues of the diabetic rats. The separate administrations of SOV and TSP to diabetic rats were able to restore the activities of these enzymes to control values. The lower dose of SOV (0.2%) administered in combination with TSP to diabetic rats lowered the enzyme activities more significantly than when given in a higher dose (0.6%) separately. This is the first report of the effective combined action of oral SOV and TSP in ameliorating the altered mitochondrial enzyme activities during experimental type-1 diabetes. Our novel combined oral administration of SOV and TSP to diabetic rats thus conclusively proves as a possible method to minimize potential vanadate toxicity without compromising its positive effects in the therapy of experimental type-1 diabetes.     

Amelioration of altered antioxidant status and membrane linked functions by vanadium andTrigonella in alloxan diabetic rat brains

Trigonella foenum graecum seed powder (TSP) and sodium orthovanadate (SOV) have been reported to have antidiabetic effects. However, SOV exerts hypoglycemic effects at relatively high doses with several toxic effects. We used low doses of vanadate in combination with TSP and evaluated their antidiabetic effects on antioxidant enzymes and membrane-linked functions in diabetic rat brains. In rats, diabetes was induced by alloxan monohydrate (15 mg/100 g body wt.) and they were treated with 2 IU insulin, 0.6 mg/ml SOV, 5% TSP and a combination of 0.2 mg/ml SOV with 5% TSP for 21 days. Blood glucose levels, activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), Na⁺/K⁺ ATPase, membrane lipid peroxidation and fluidity were determined in different fractions of whole brain after 21 days of treatment. Diabetic rats showed high blood glucose (P < 0.001), decreased activities of SOD, catalase and Na⁺/K⁺ ATPase (P < 0.01,P < 0.001 andP < 0.01), increased levels of GPx and MDA (P < 0.01 andP < 0.001) and decreased membrane fluidity (P < 0.01). Treatment with different antidiabetic compounds restored the above-altered parameters. Combined dose ofTrigonella and vanadate was found to be the most effective treatment in normalizing these alterations. Lower doses of vanadate could be used in combination with TSP to effectively counter diabetic alterations without any toxic effects.     

Efficacy of lower doses of vanadium in restoring altered glucose metabolism and antioxidant status in diabetic rat lenses

Vanadium compounds are potent in controlling elevated blood glucose levels in experimentally induced diabetes. However the toxicity associated with vanadium limits its role as therapeutic agent for diabetic treatment. A vanadium compound sodium orthovanadate (SOV) was given to alloxan-induced diabetic Wistar rats in lower doses in combination withTrigonella foenum graecum, a well-known hypoglycemic agent used in traditional Indian medicines. The effect of this combination was studied on lens morphology and glucose metabolism in diabetic rats. Lens, an insulin-independent tissue, was found severely affected in diabetes showing visual signs of cataract. Alterations in the activities of glucose metabolizing enzymes (hexokinase, aldose reductase, sorbitol dehydrogenase, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase) and antioxidant enzymes (glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase) besides the levels of related metabolites, [sorbitol, fructose, glucose, thiobarbituric acid reactive species (TBARS) and reduced glutathione (GSH)]were observed in the lenses from diabetic rats and diabetic rats treated with insulin (2 IU/day), SOV (0.6 mg/ml),T. f. graecum seed powder (TSP, 5%) and TSP (5%) in combination with lowered dose of vanadium SOV (0.2 mg/ml), for a period of 3 weeks. The activity of the enzymes, hexokinase, aldose reductase and sorbitol dehydrogenase was significantly increased whereas the activity of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, glutathione peroxidase and glutathione reductase decreased significantly in lenses from 3 week diabetic rats. Significant increase in accumulation of metabolites, sorbitol, fructose, glucose was found in diabetic lenses. TBARS measure of peroxidation increased whereas the levels of antioxidant GSH decreased significantly in diabetic condition. Insulin restored the levels of altered enzyme activities and metabolites almost to control levels. Sodium orthovanadate (0.6 mg/ml) andTrigonella administered separately to diabetic animals could partially reverse the diabetic changes, metabolic and morphological, while vanadate in lowered dose in combination withTrigonella was found to be the most effective in restoring the altered lens metabolism and morphological appearance in diabetes. It may be concluded that vanadate at lowered doses administered in combination withTrigonella was the most effective in controlling the altered glucose metabolism and antioxidant status in diabetic lenses, these being significant factors involved in the development of diabetic complications, that reflects in the reduced lens opacity     

Beneficial effects of Trigonella foenum graecum and sodium orthovanadate on metabolic parameters in experimental diabetes

Oxidative stress in diabetic tissues is accompanied by high-level of free radicals with simultaneously declined antioxidant enzymes status leading to cell membrane damage. The present study was carried out to observe the effect of sodium orthovanadate (SOV) and Trigonella foenum graecum seed powder (TSP) administration on blood glucose and insulin levels, antioxidant enzymes, lipid peroxidation, pyruvate kinase, lactate dehydrogenase and protein kinase C in heart, muscle and brain of the alloxan-induced diabetic rats to see whether the treatment with SOV and TSP was capable of reversing the diabetic effects. Diabetes was induced by administration of alloxan monohydrate (15?mg/100?g body weight), and rats were treated with 2?IU insulin, 0.6?mg/ml SOV, 5% TSP in the diet and a combination of 0.2?mg/ml SOV and 5% TSP separately for 21?days. Blood glucose levels increased markedly in diabetic rats, animals treated with a combined dose of SOV and TSP had glucose levels almost comparable with controls, similar results were obtained in the activities of pyruvate kinase, lactate dehydrogenase, antioxidant enzymes and protein kinase C in diabetic animals. Our results showed that lower doses of SOV (0.2?mg/ml) could be used in combination with TSP to effectively reverse diabetic alterations in experimental diabetes. Copyright ? 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Long-term effect of Trigonella foenum graecum and its combination with sodium orthovanadate in preventing histopathological and biochemical abnormalities in diabetic rat ocular tissues

Trigonella foenum graecum seed powder (TSP) and Sodium Orthovanadate (SOV) have been shown to demonstrate antidiabetic effects by stabilizing glucose homeostasis and carbohydrate metabolism in experimental type-1 diabetes. However their efficacy in controlling histopathological and biochemical abnormalities in ocular tissues associated with diabetic retinopathy is not known. The purpose of this study was to investigate the comparative efficacy of individual as well as combination therapy of TSP and SOV in 8 weeks diabetic rat lens and retina. Retinas and lenses were taken from control, alloxan-induced diabetic rats and diabetic rats treated separately with insulin, 5%TSP, SOV (0.6 mg/ml) and a combined dose of SOV (0.2 mg/ml) and 5%TSP for 60 days. Control and each experimental group had six rats. Alterations in the activities of enzymes HK (hexokinase), AR (aldose reductase), SDH (sorbitol dehydrogenase), G-6-PD (glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase), GPx (glutathione peroxidase), GR (glutathione reductase) and levels of metabolites like sorbitol, fructose, glucose, MDA (malondialdehyde) and GSH (reduced glutathione) were measured in the cytosolic fraction of lenses besides measuring blood glucose levels and glycosylated haemoglobin. Histopathological abnormalities were studied in the lens using photomicrography and retina using transmission electron microscopy. Blood glucose, glycosylated haemoglobin levels and polyol pathway enzymes AR and SDH increased significantly causing accumulation of sorbitol and fructose in the diabetic lens and treatment with SOV and TSP significantly (p < 0.05) decreased these to control levels. Similarly, SOV and TSP treatments modulated the activities of HK, G-6-PD, GPx and GR in the rat lens to control values. Ultrastructure of the diabetic retina revealed disintegration of the inner nuclear layer cells with reduction in rough endoplasmic reticulum and swelling of mitochondria in the bipolar cells; and these histopathological events were effectively restored to control state by SOV and TSP treatments. In this study SOV and TSP effectively controlled ocular histopathological and biochemical abnormalities associated with experimental type-1 diabetes, and a combination regimen of low dose of SOV with TSP demonstrated the most significant effect. In conclusion, the potential of SOV and TSP alone or in low dose combination may be considered as promising approaches for the prevention of diabetic retinopathy and other ocular disorders.     

Effects of serpasil on lipids,lipoprotein lipase and lipogenic enzymes in alloxan diabetic rats

Diabetes intensifies the development of atherosclerosis. Treatment with antihypertensive drug, serpasil, arrested the progression of atherosclerosis in alloxan diabetic rats by significantly decreasing the concentration of cholesterol, phospholipids and triglycerides of serum, liver, kidney and aorta. Serpasil also decreased fasting blood sugar and urine sugar levels in these rats. Serpasil administration remarkably altered the deranged lipid metabolism in alloxan diabetic rats by nearly restoring the lipolytic and lipogenic enzyme activity to that of the normal     

Regulation of hyperglycemia and dyslipidemia by exogenous L-arginine in diabetic rats

The effect of L-arginine on the pattern of lipids and lipoproteins in normal and diabetic rats was studied. Three groups of 48 rats were studied during 12 days and compared with a control group (Group I, n = 5). Group I consisted of normal rats not treated with L-arginine. Group II. Normal rats treated with 10 mM L-arginine (i.p.). Group III. Diabetic rats (alloxan 120 mg/kg, i.p.) not treated (diabetic control). Group IV. Diabetic rats treated with 10 mM L-arginine (i.p.). The rats of each group were divided in subgroups of four each. Rats were anesthetized and blood was taken from aorta to determine glucose, triglycerides, cholesterol, total lipids, and low (LDL) and high density lipoproteins (HDL) and their corresponding apoproteins (Apo A-I and Apo B-100). We observed that the alloxan concentration used in this study reproduces the clinical manifestations of disease including hyperglycemia (from 132.5 +/- 7.6 to 544.3 +/- 16.9 mg/dL) in 96 h. As a consequence the levels of triglycerides, cholesterol, total lipids, and LDL and its apoprotein Apo B-100 were increased, whereas HDL and its apoprotein Apo A-I were diminished. The L-arginine injection tends to normalize the glycemia from 24 h; similarly, hyperlipidemia (triglycerides from 924.7 +/- 220.1 to 68.5 +/- 8.4 mg/dL, cholesterol from 107.7 +/- 0.6 to 64.5 +/- 4.2 mg/dL, LDL from 24.2 +/- 2.5 to 8.0 +/- 2.9 mg/dL) was also diminished. These results suggest that the beneficial effect of L-arginine administration on serum glucose values and lipid levels in diabetic rats can be mediated by polyamine formation, although the effect of L-arginine on insulin release as observed by other authors is not discarded.     

Antihyperlipidemic effect of chlorogenic acid and tetrahydrocurcumin in rats subjected to diabetogenic agents

Diabetes mellitus is associated with dyslipidemia, which is a significant risk factor for cardiovascular complications. The present study was carried out to evaluate the effects of tetrahydrocurcumin (THC) and chlorogenic acid (CGA) alone and in combination on alterations in lipids, lipoproteins and enzymes involved in lipid metabolism in streptozotocin (STZ)–nicotinamide (NA)-induced type 2 diabetic rats. A significant (p < 0.05) increase in the concentrations of plasma and tissue (liver and kidney) lipids (cholesterol, triglycerides (TGs), free fatty acids (FFAs) and phospholipids (PLs)) and low density and very low-density lipoproteins (LDL and VLDL), and a decrease in the concentration of high-density lipoproteins (HDL) were noticed in STZ administered diabetic rats. In addition, the activity of 3-hydroxy 3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase increased significantly (p < 0.05) in the liver and kidney whereas the activities of lipoprotein lipase (LPL) and lecithin cholesterol acyl transferase (LCAT) were decreased significantly (p < 0.05) in the plasma of diabetic rats. Combined administration of CGA (5 mg/kg b.w.) and THC (80 mg/kg b.w.) for 45 days remarkably reduced the STZ-induced changes in lipids, lipoproteins and lipid metabolising enzymes when compared to the effects of CGA or THC alone in diabetic rats. These results indicate that combination of THC and CGA can potentially ameliorate lipid abnormalities in experimental type 2 diabetes.     

Influence of sodium orthovanadate on the production of astaxanthin from green algae Haematococcus lacustris

Astaxanthin production is commonly induced under stress conditions such as nutrient deficiency (N or P), high light stress, and variations of temperature, high NaCl concentrations, and other factors. The objective of the present study is the analysis of the effect of oxidative stress by sodium orthovanadate (SOV), a nonspecific inhibitor of protein tyrosine phosphatases, on the cells growth and astaxanthin production of H. lacustris. In the presence of SOV (lower than 5.0 mM), maximum growth of H. lacustris obtained was 2.4 × 10⁵ cells/mL in MBBM medium at 24°C under continuous illumination (40 μE/m²/s) of white fluorescent light, with continuous aeration of CO₂ (0.2 vvm). Total carotenoids accumulated per cell biomass unit treated with 2.5 mM SOV has approximately shown 2.5 folds higher than the control after short period of SOV induction time as 2 days, despite that cells were grown under normal light. Meanwhile, maximal astaxanthin production from H. lacustris was 10.7 mg/g biomass in MBBM with 5 days of continuous illumination at 40 μE/m²/s, which has been established as optimal light intensity for the control culture of H. lacustris. Treating algae H. lacustris with sodium orthovanadate showed promoting the accumulation of astaxanthin by advancing either the inhibition of dephosphorylation or synthesis of ATP. Its potential role of PTPases in microalgae H. lacustris is discussed. The first two authors are equally contributed to this work.     

Vanadate induces normolipidemia and a reduction in the levels of hepatic lipogenic enzymes in obese Zucker rat

The effects of vanadate administration on the plasma lipids and hepatic lipogenic enzymes were investigated in Zucker (fa/fa) rat, a model for obesity and non insulin-dependent diabetes. These animals were administered sodium orthovanadate through drinking water for a period of four months. The plasma levels of insulin, triacylglycerols and total cholesterol were significantly (p<0.001) elevated in untreated obese control rats as compared to the lean animals. In the livers of obese rats, the number of insulin receptors decreased by 60% and the activities of lipogenic enzymes acetyl-CoA carboxylase and ATP-citrate lyase increased by 4.7- and 5.6-folds, respectively. The messenger RNA for ATP-citrate lyase as measured by Northern blot analysis showed a parallel increase in obese control rats. Treatment of these rats with vanadate caused 56–77% decreases in the plasma levels of insulin, triacylglycerols and total cholesterol. The insulin receptor numbers in vanadate-treated obese rats increased (119%) compared to levels in untreated obese animals. The elevated activities of acetyl-CoA carboxylase and ATP-citrate lyase observed in livers of obese rats were significantly reduced by vanadate. The messenger RNA for ATP-citrate lyase also decreased in vanadate-treated obese rats back to the lean control levels. This study demonstrates that vanadate exerts potent actions on lipid metabolism in diabetic animals in addition to the recognized effects on glucose homeostasis.     

Hypoglycemic,antiperoxidative and antihyperlipidemic effects of saponins from Solanum anguivi Lam. fruits in alloxan-induced diabetic rats

The present study evaluates the hypoglycemic, antiperoxidative and antihyperlipidemic activities of saponins from Solanum anguivi fruits in alloxan induced diabetes rats. Diabetic rats were treated with saponin (20–100 mg/kg) for 21 days. Results indicated that administration of saponins significantly reduced the elevated levels of glucose, decreased total cholesterol (TC), total triglycerides (TG), low density lipoprotein (LDL) and increased high density lipoprotein (HDL) in the serum towards normalcy when compared to the diabetic control (p < 0.05). In addition, saponins exhibited strong inhibition of lipid peroxidation and increased the levels of antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase and catalase) in the serum, liver and pancreas when compared to the diabetic control (p < 0.05). Our results suggest that saponins from S. anguivi fruit can enhance the hypoglycemic, hypolipidemic and antioxidant properties in alloxan-induced diabetic rats, and may have the potential to be used in the prevention or in the management of diabetes.     

Beneficial effects and mechanism of action of Momordica charantia juice in the treatment of streptozotocin-induced diabetes mellitus in rat

This study investigated the beneficial effects and mechanism of action of the juice of Momordica charantia in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetes mellitus in rats. Diabetes mellitus was associated with significant (p < 0.01) time course reductions in body weight, plasma insulin and the number of insulin positive cells per islet and significant (p < 0.01) time course elevation in blood glucose and osmolarity and systolic blood pressure compared to age-matched healthy controls. Oral intake of M. charantia juice by STZ-induced diabetic rats partially reversed all the diabetes-induced effects measured. Daily oral administration of M. charantia juice to STZ-induced diabetic rates significantly (p < 0.01) reduced the Na⁺- and K⁺ -dependent absorptions of glucose by the brush border membrane vesicles of the jejunum compared to the responses obtained in STZ-induced diabetic rat. Either insulin (100 MM) or the fruit juice lyophilised extract (5 g · ml^–1) can stimulate ¹⁴C-D-glucose uptake in L6 myotubes. These effects were completely blocked by wortmannin, an inhibitor of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase. High concentrations (10–200 g · ml^-1) of M. charantia juice extract inhibited ¹⁴C-D-glucose uptake in L6 myotubes compared to the control response. The effect of M. charantia treatment was also investigated on myelinated fibre abnormalities in the tibial nerve of STZ-induced diabetic and control rats. The results show that diabetes was associated with significant (p < 0.05) reduction in the mean cross-sectional myelinated nerve fibres, axonal area, myelin area and maximal fibre area compared to end controls. Treatment of STZ-induced diabetic rats with M. charantia juice normalised the structural abnormalities of peripheral nerves. The results indicate that M. charantia can exert marked beneficial effects in diabetic rats, and moreover, it can regulate glucose uptake into jejunum membrane brush border vesicles and stimulate glucose uptake into skeletal muscle cells similar to the response obtained with insulin. (Mol Cell Biochem 261: 63–70, 2004)     

Short-term Effects of Ethanol Intoxication on Ascorbic Acid and Lipid Metabolism and on Drug-metabolizing Enzymes in Liver of Rats

The effects of one-time ethanol intoxication on ascorbic acid and lipid metabolism and on drug-metabolizing enzymes in liver of rats were investigated. Male Donryu rats that had been fed semi-purified feed were given 5 g/kg ethanol solution (25%, w/v) via a stomach tube and killed 16 h after intubation. The amount of ascorbic acid excreted in the urine after ethanol administration increased, but renal and adrenal concentrations of ascorbic acid decreased. The serum levels of total cholesterol, high-density-lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides, phospholipids, and non-esterified fatty acids were elevated in rats given ethanol, but hepatic level of total lipids, cholesterol, triglycerides, phospholipids were not. The hepatic concentrations of cytochrome P-450 and cytochrome b₅ did not increase, but this large dose of ethanol increased the activities of aminopyrine N-demethylase and cytochrome c reductase.

These results indicated that the single dose of ethanol affected the ascorbic acid and lipid metabolism of rats, and induced drug-metabolizing enzymes in their liver.     

Effect of garlic oil on the levels of various enzymes in the serum and tissue of streptozotocin diabetic rats

Levels of red cell, serum acid, and alkaline phosphatases, serum amylase, alanine and aspartate transferase and bilirubin were examined in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats treated with garlic oil and compared with the corresponding levels in diabetic control rats, normal rats and normal rats on garlic oil. Values of tissue amylase and total protein were also assessed from the pancreas, liver, and kidney. Treatment of diabetic rats with garlic oil significantly decreased the red cell phosphatase (p<0.01), serum acid and alkaline phosphatase (p<0.001) when compared to diabetic control rats. Serum alanine and asparate transferases were significantly (p<0.001) decreased as well as serum amylase (p<0.002) in garlic oil treated diabetic rats as compared with diabetic control rats. When treated with garlic oil, however, diabetic and normal rats showed significant increase (p<0.05) in the amylase levels of the pancrease, liver, and kidney.     

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.     

Dhanwantaram kashayam,an Ayurvedic polyherbal formulation,reduces oxidative radicals and reverts lipids profile towards normal in diabetic rats

BackgroundHyperglycemia and hyper oxidative stress are indicators of diabetes mellitus which is also accompanied with decreased levels of antioxidant enzymes. While oxidative stress is important in increasing insulin secretion and controlling blood sugar level at the same time excess oxidative stress leads to the destruction of beta cells of pancreas resulting in to low insulin production and hyperglycemia. A balance between the levels of oxidative radicals and insulin production is needed, but is not defined yet. Hyperglycemia also leads to hyperlipidemia which can contribute to various health conditions like cardiovascular diseases.ObjectivesThis study was designed to study the oxidative stress and lipid levels in diabetic rats. This also was designed to elucidate the effect of Dhanwantaram Kashayam, an Ayurvedic polyphenolic derived from plants on lipid metabolism and oxidative radical scavenging in diabetic rats.MethodsRats were made diabetic by injecting streptozotocin. Different enzymes involved in oxidative radical scavenging and lipid profiles including triglycerides, total cholesterol, free fatty acids and phospholipids were estimated using standard methods reported elsewhere.ResultsLevel of antioxidant enzymes were lower in diabetic rats compared to normal controls. Administration of Dhanwantaram Kashayam restored the enzyme activity as well as reduced levels of different lipids in diabetic rats.ConclusionsAdministration of Dhanwantaram Kashayam increased the activity levels of antioxidant enzymes and reduced the levels of total cholesterol, phospholipids and triglycerides. The results of this study point to the possibility of developing Dhanwantaram Kashayam as a dietary supplement which can alleviate the complications associated with diabetes or prevent them altogether.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Teucrium polium</Emphasis> Complex with Molybdate Enhance Cultured Islets Secretory Function

Islet transplantation has become a promising treatment in the therapy of type 1 diabetes. Its function improvement, after isolation and before transplantation, is crucial because of their loss both in number and function of islets after isolation procedures. Trace elements sodium orthovanadate (SOV) and sodium molybdate (SM), as well as medicinal plant Teucrium polium L. (TP), showed and possessed high beneficial antioxidative potential and even hypoglycemic properties via their effect on islets. We evaluated the effect of these components in combination on cultured islet function in order to improve pancreatic islet transplantation. Rat pancreatic islets were cultured for 24 h then incubated with different concentrations of TP (0.01 and 0.1 mg/mL) alone and in combination with SOV (1 mM) or SM (1 mM). Insulin concentration in buffer media was measured as islet secretory function. Administration of TP (0.01 mg/mL), SM, and SOV alone or in combination with each other significantly increased insulin secretion at high glucose concentration (16.7 mM); insulin secretion was significantly greater in the group containing both TP and SM than other treated groups (p < 0.05). The combination of the mentioned trace elements especially molybdate with TP could improve islet cells function before transplantation.     

Restoration of ultrastructural and biochemical changes in alloxan-induced diabetic rat sciatic nerve on treatment with Na3VO4 and Trigonella—a promising antidiabetic agent

Vanadium has been reported to have broad pharmacological activity both in vitro and in vivo. Vanadium compound, sodium orthovanadate, Na₃VO₄, is well known for its hypoglycaemic effects. However, Na₃VO₄ exerts these effects at relatively high doses (0.6 mg/ml) and exhibit several toxic effects. In the present study lower doses of Na₃VO₄ (0.2 mg/ml) are combined with Trigonella foenum graecum seed powder (TSP), another hypoglycaemic agent, to reduce its toxicity without compromising its antidiabetic potential. The efficacy of the lower doses of Na₃VO₄ has been investigated in restoring the altered glucose metabolism and histological structure in the sciatic nerves in 21 and 60 days alloxan diabetic rats. A portion of the glucose was found to be channelled from the normal glycolytic route to polyol pathway, evident by the reduced hexokinase activity and increased polyol pathway enzymes aldose reductase and sorbitol dehydrogenase activity causing accumulation of sorbitol and fructose in diabetic conditions. Ultrastructural observation of the sciatic nerve showed extensive demylination and axonal loss after eight weeks of diabetes induction. Blood glucose levels increased in diabetic rats were normalized with the lower dose of vanadium and Trigonella treatment. The treatment of the diabetic rats with vanadium and Trigonella prevented the activation of the polyol pathway and sugar accumulations. The sciatic nerves were also protected against the structural abnormalities found in diabetes with Trigonella foenum graecum as well as Na₃VO₄. Results suggest that lower doses of Na₃VO₄ may be used in combination with TSP as an efficient antidiabetic agent to effectively control the long-term complications of diabetes in tissues like peripheral nerve.     

Trigonella foenum graecum (fenugreek) seed powder improves glucose homeostasis in alloxan diabetic rat tissues by reversing the altered glycolytic,gluconeogenic and lipogenic enzymes

Trigonella foenum graecum (fenugreek) seed powder has been suggested to have potential antidiabetic effects. The effect of oral administration of Trigonella whole seed powder (5% in the diet) for 21 days on glycolytic, gluconeogenic and NADPlinked lipogenic enzymes were studied in liver and kidney tissues of alloxan-induced diabetic Wistar rats. Diabetic rats were characterised by a 4fold higher blood glucose level and a 0.7fold lower body weight compared to normal controls. The activities of the glycolytic enzymes were significantly lower in the diabetic liver and higher in the diabetic kidney. The activities of gluconeogenic enzymes were higher in both liver and kidney during diabetes, however the activities of the lipogenic enzymes were decreased in both tissues during diabetes. Trigonella seed powder treatment to diabetic rats for 21 days brought down the elevated fasting blood glucose levels to control levels. The altered enzyme activities were significantly restored to control values in both the liver and kidney after Trigonella seed powder treatment. The therapeutic role of Trigonella seed powder in type1 diabetes as exemplified in this study can be attributed to the change of glucose and lipid metabolising enzyme activities to normal values, thus stabilizing glucose homeostasis in the liver and kidney. These biochemical effects exerted by Trigonella seeds make it a possible new therapeutic in type1 diabetes.