N. Kamalakkannan

Rutin improves the antioxidant status in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rat tissues

Rutin, a polyphenolic flavonoid, was investigated for its antioxidant potential in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. Rats were rendered diabetic by a single intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (50 mg/kg). The levels of fasting plasma glucose and insulin were estimated. Lipid peroxidative products and antioxidants were estimated in liver, kidney and brain. Histopathological studies were carried out in these tissues. A significant (p < 0.05) increase in the levels of fasting plasma glucose, lipid peroxidative products (thiobarbituric acid reactive substances [TBARS] and lipid hydroperoxides [HP]) and a significant (p < 0.05) decrease in plasma insulin, enzymic antioxidants (superoxide dismutase [SOD], catalase, glutathione peroxidase [GPx] and glutathione reductase [GRx]) and nonenzymic antioxidants (reduced glutathione [GSH], vitamin C and E) in diabetic liver, kidney and brain were observed. Oral administration of rutin (100 mg/kg) for a period of 45 days significantly (p < 0.05) decreased fasting plasma glucose, increased insulin levels and improved the antioxidant status of diabetic rats by decreasing lipid peroxidative products and increasing enzymic and nonenzymic antioxidants. Normal rats treated with rutin (100 mg/kg) showed no significant (p < 0.05) effect on any of the parameters studied. Histopathological studies of the liver, kidney and brain showed the protective role of rutin. Thus, our study clearly shows that rutin has antioxidant effect in STZ-induced experimental diabetes.

Hypoglycaemic effect of water extracts of Aegle marmelos fruits in streptozotocin diabetic rats

Aegle marmelos Corr. (Rutaceae) is widely used in Indian Ayurvedic medicine for the treatment of diabetes mellitus. The hypoglycaemic effect of the water extract of the fruits of Aegle marmelos was examined in streptozotocin-induced diabetic Wistar rats. Oral administration of the water extract (125 and 250mgkg(-1)) twice a day for 4 weeks resulted in significant reductions in blood glucose, plasma thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, hydroperoxides, ceruloplasmin and alpha-tocopherol and a significant elevation in plasma reduced glutathione and Vitamin C in diabetic rats. The effect of the extract at a dose of 250mgkg(-1) was more effective than glibenclamide in restoring the values of these parameters. The results of this study clearly shows the hypoglycaemic activity of the fruit extract.

Syzigium cumini seed extracts reduce tissue damage in diabetic rat brain

Syzigium cumini commonly known as Jamun, is widely used in different parts of India for the treatment of diabetes mellitus. Oral administration of an aqueous Jamun seed extract (JSEt) for 6 weeks caused a significant decrease in lipids, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and an increase in catalase and superoxide dismutase in the brain of alloxan induced diabetic rats. Oral administration of an alcoholic JSEt for 6 weeks brought back all the parameters to near normal. The effect of alcoholic JSEt (100 mg/kg) was better than aqueous JSEt (5 g/kg). The effect of both these extracts was better than glibenclamide (600 microg/kg). Thus, our study shows that S. cumini seed extracts reduce tissue damage in diabetic rat brain.

The influence of rutin on the extracellular matrix in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rat kidney

We previously reported that rutin administration to streptozotocin (STZ)‐induced diabetic rats decreased plasma glucose and increased plasma insulin levels. In this study, we have examined the role of rutin on matrix remodelling in the kidney of STZ‐induced diabetic rats. STZ was administered intraperitoneally (50 mg kg−1) to male albino Wistar rats to induce experimental diabetes. Rutin (100 mg kg−1) was orally administered to normal and STZ‐induced diabetic rats for a period of 45 days and its influence on the content of hydroxyproline and collagen and on the activity of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) were studied. We have also studied the levels of tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs) in the kidney. STZ‐induced diabetic control rats showed increased content of hydroxyproline and collagen, decreased activity of MMPs and increased levels of TIMPs in the kidney. These changes were positively modulated by rutin treatment in STZ‐induced diabetic rats, thereby protecting the kidney. In normal rats treated with rutin, none of the parameters studied were significantly altered. From the results obtained, we could conclude that rutin influences MMPs and effectively protects kidney against STZ‐induced damage in rats. The effects observed are due to the reduction of plasma glucose levels by rutin.

The Effect of Aegle marmelos Fruit Extract in Streptozotocin Diabetes

Aegle marmelos Correa. (Bael) fruit exhibit antidiabetic, antihyperlipidaemic and antioxidant properties. This study was designed to elucidate the protective effect of an aqueous extract of Aegle marmelos fruits on the histopathology of the pancreas in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Oral administration of Aegle marmelos fruit extract at doses of 125 and 250 mg/kg twice daily to diabetic rats for a period of 30 days resulted in a significant increase in body weight, weight of the pancreas and insulin levels associated with a significant decrease in fasting blood glucose levels. The fruit extract treated groups showed improved functional state of the pancreatic β-cells and partially reversed the damage caused by streptozotocin to the pancreatic islets. The findings of our study indicate that Aegle marmelos fruit extract exhibits protective effects on the pancreas. The effects observed in the fruit extract treated animals were better those in animals treated with glibenclamide (300 μg/kg).

Effect of Curcumin and its Analogue on Lipids in Carbon Tetrachloride-Induced Hepatotoxicity: A Comparative Study

Abstract Curcumin and its analogue (bis.demethoxy curcumin analogue [BDMC-A]) were studied for their possible lipid-lowering properties in carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced hepatotoxicity in rats. Carbon tetrachloride (3 ml kg−1 wk−1) administration to albino Wistar rats increased the levels of hepatic marker enzymes such as aspartate transaminase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and γ.-glutamyl transferase (GGT) in the plasma. The levels of lipids cholesterol, triglycerides, and free fatty acids were also increased in plasma and tissues (liver, kidney, heart, and brain). Phospholipid levels increased in plasma, heart, and brain but decreased in liver and kidney. Curcumin (80 mg/kg) and BDMC-A (80 mg/kg) administration to CCl4-treated rats for a period of 3 months significantly decreased the lipid levels. The effect exerted by BDMC-A was more prominent than that of curcumin. Studies on the histopathology of the liver are also in line with the biochemical parameters studied. These observations show the lipid-lowering efficacy of curcumin and its analogue in CCl4-induced hepatotoxicity.

Restoration of Carbohydrate Metabolic Enzyme Activity in Serum, Liver, and Kidney by Aegle marmelos Fruit in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rats

ABSTRACT The effect of Aegle marmelos fruit extract on some key carbohydrate metabolic enzymes was studied in streptozotocin-induced diabetic Wistar rats. Diabetic rats exhibited a decrease in the activity of hexokinase and an increase in the activities of glucose 6-phosphatase and fructose 1,6-bisphosphatase in serum, liver, and kidney. All the alterations in the activities of these enzymes were brought back to near normalcy by oral administration of Aegle marmelos fruit extract for a period of one month, twice a day. The effect of the extract at a dose of 250 mg/kg was more effective than glibenclamide (300 μg/kg).

The Effect ofAegle marmelosFruit Extract in Streptozotocin Diabetes: A Histopathological Study

Aegle marmelos Correa. (Bael) fruit exhibit antidiabetic, antihyperlipidaemic and antioxidant properties. This study was designed to elucidate the protective effect of an aqueous extract of Aegle marmelos fruits on the histopathology of the pancreas in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Oral administration of Aegle marmelos fruit extract at doses of 125 and 250 mg/kg twice daily to diabetic rats for a period of 30 days resulted in a significant increase in body weight, weight of the pancreas and insulin levels associated with a significant decrease in fasting blood glucose levels. The fruit extract treated groups showed improved functional state of the pancreatic β-cells and partially reversed the damage caused by streptozotocin to the pancreatic islets. The findings of our study indicate that Aegle marmelos fruit extract exhibits protective effects on the pancreas. The effects observed in the fruit extract treated animals were better those in animals treated with glibenclamide (300 μg/kg).