Zeitschrift für Bioanalyse und Biomedizin

Background and objective: Chronic hyperglycemia in diabetes determines the overproduction of free radicals, and evidence is increasing that these contribute to the development of diabetic complications. Aim of the present study was to evaluate the antidiabetic and antioxidant activity of R. apelatus Poir. and R. steudneri Schweinf leaf extract in alloxan induced diabetic rats.

Methods: The powdered materials of the R. apelatus Poir. and R. steudneri Schweinf were extracted by maceration process and the extract was used for the study. Single oral dose of 2000 mg/kg body weight of both the extracts were evaluated for acute toxicity. This study evaluated 150 and 300 mg/kg body weight of R. apelatus Poir. and R. steudneri Schweinf leaf extract for given orally for 21 days for its antidiabetic and antioxidant activity in alloxan induced diabetic rats.

Results: The results showed no toxicity in terms of general behavior change and mortality and LD50 was found to be more than 2000 mg/kg. Doses of 150 and 300 mg/kg body weight given orally for 21 days showed significant antihyperglycemic activity. Antihyperlipidemic and antiatherogenic activities as evidenced by significant decrease in total cholesterol, triglycerides, Low Density Lipoprotein (LDL), Very Low Density Lipoprotein (VLDL) and Glycerol Free Triglyceride (GFT) levels coupled together with elevation of High Density Lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c) level and diminution of atherogenic index in diabetic rats. Furthermore, both the extracts significantly increases the activities and levels of Superoxide dismutase (SOD), Catalase (CAT), total thiols and Glutathione (GSH) and decreased the Lipid Peroxidation (MDA) showed the antioxidant activity.

Conclusion: Results of the present study suggests that both the extracts can control blood glucose and modulate the metabolism of glucose and blood lipid, leading to decreased outputs of lipid peroxidation and scavenge the free radicals in rats with diabetes mellitus.