ANTIDIABETIC ACTIVITY OF ORTHOSIPHON STAMINEUS BENTH ROOTS IN STREPTOZOTOCIN INDUCED TYPE 2 DIABETIC RATS

Abstract

Objective: The objective of the study is to evaluate ethanolic extract of Roots of Orhtosiphon stamineus for antidiabetic activity in streptozotocin (STZ) induced type 2 diabetic rats. Methods: In short-term study, STZ induced type 2 diabetic rats were administered with single administration of various doses of methanolic extract (200mg/kg, 400mg/kg and 800mg/kg) and changes in blood glucose levels is evaluated. In long-term study, STZ induced type-2 diabetic rats were treated for four weeks with various doses of methanolic extract (200 mg/kg, 400 mg/kg and 800 mg/kg). Blood glucose levels reduction was monitored at weekly intervals. At the end of the experiment, changes in insulin levels, Glucose-6-phosphatase, Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase and glycogen were evaluated. For both the studies glibenclamide (600 μg/kg) is used as standard drug for comparison. Results: Significant reduction in blood glucose levels (p<0.01) was observed with all the doses after 2 h of single dose administration and the effect was dose dependent. Significant reduction in blood glucose levels and dose dependent effect was observed in long-term study. Significant changes in insulin levels were not observed after four weeks of treatment with extract. O. stamineus has shown significant reduction in glucose-6-phosphatase and significant increase in glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase and glycogen levels.  Conclusion: Results showed that O. stamineus extract possessed significant antidiabetic activity in type 2 diabetic rats which is due to attenuation of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, glycogen storage and reduced glucose-6-phosphatase which rationalizes its promising use for treatment of diabetes in future.

 

Keywords: O. stamineus roots, type-2 diabetes, glucose levels, glucose-6-phosphatase, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, glycogen.