Shamim A. Qureshi

Methanolic Root Extract of Rauwolfia serpentina Benth Improves the Glycemic, Antiatherogenic, and Cardioprotective Indices in Alloxan-Induced Diabetic Mice.

The aim of the study was to evaluate the phytochemistry and the effect of methanolic root extract (MREt) of Rauwolfia serpentina on alloxan-induced diabetic Wister male mice. Mice were divided in control (distilled water at 1 mL/kg) and alloxan-induced diabetic mice which subdivided into diabetic (distilled water at 1 mL/kg), negative (0.05% dimethyl sulfoxide at 1 mL/kg), positive (glibenclamide at 5 mg/kg) controls, and three test groups (MREt at 10, 30, and 60 mg/kg). All treatments were given orally for 14 days. Qualitatively MREt showed the presence of alkaloids, carbohydrates, flavonoids, glycosides, cardiac glycosides, phlobatannins, resins, saponins, steroids, tannins, and triterpenoids, while quantitatively extract was rich in total phenols. The flavonoids, saponins and alkaloids were also determined in root powder. MREt found effective in improving the body weights, glucose and insulin levels, insulin/glucose ratio, glycosylated and total hemoglobin in test groups as compared to diabetic control. Similarly, significantly decreased levels of total cholesterol, triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein (LDL-c), and very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL-c) cholesterols were found in test groups. Significant lipolysis with improved glycogenesis was also found in liver tissues of all test groups. ALT levels were found normal in all groups. Thus, MREt improves the glycemic, antiatherogenic, coronary risk, and cardioprotective indices in alloxan-induced diabetic mice.

Methanolic Root Extract of Rauwolfia serpentina Lowers Atherogenic Dyslipidemia, Arteriosclerosis and Glycosylation Indices in Type 1 Diabetic Mice.

Globally recognized antihypertensive phytomedicine Rauwolfia serpentina Benth is also well-known for its diversified ethno-medicinal usefulness. The objective of present study is to evaluate the effect of methanolic root extract (MREt) of R. serpentina on atherogenic dyslipidemia, arteriosclerosis and glycosylation indices in alloxan-induced type 1 diabetic mice. After the single intraperitoneal injection of alloxan monohydrate (150 mg/kg), forty two mice were allocated into diabetic control (1 ml distilled water), negative control (0.05% DMSO 1 ml/kg), positive control (5 mg/kg glibencalmide) and three test dose groups (MREt 10, 30 & 60 mg/kg). Normal control (1ml distilled water) was also used. After 14 days of respective treatments, fasting blood glucose, insulin, haemoglobin (Hb), glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1c), triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (T-CHOL), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c), very low density lipoprotein cholesterol (VLDL-c), and high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c) levels were determined. Wet organ weight, relative weight, percent change in glycosylation and non-HDL-c level was also determined. MREt maintained the wet organ and relative weight, as did not produce any harmful changes in kidney, liver, spleen and heart. Significant reduction in percent glycosylation was observed from -37.35% to -48% in all test groups. Upto two fold significant (p< 0.0001) decrease in atherogenic (AI) and arteriosclerotic (ArtI) indices, while improvements in atherogenic dyslipidemia ratio (ADR) were also observed in all test groups. Significantly (p< 0.0001) lowered level of non-HDL-c and glucose to lipid profile ratios were estimated in all test groups. The obtained results indicated the therapeutic potential of MREt in lowering the risk of atherogenic dyslipidemia, arteriosclerosis and glycosylation in alloxan-induced diabetic mice.