Hematological and hepatoprotective effects of aqueous extract of Phyllanthus amarus in streptozotocin induced- diabetic male Wistar rats

Abstract

The main objective of the present study was to investigate the hematological and hepatoprotective activities of aqueous extract of Phyllanthus amarus in streptozotocin (STZ) induced diabetic rats. The male Wistar albino rats were randomly divided in to four groups of 10 animals each: Control group (C), PA-treated control group (C+PA), Diabetic control group (D), PA treated diabetic group (D+PA). Diabetes was induced by intraperitoneal injection of STZ (55 mg/kg/bwt) and after ascertaining, the diabetic rats were treated with aqueous extract of Phyllanthus amarus for 60 days. The biochemical estimations like hematological parameters, transaminases and antioxidant potential of the hepatic tissue were performed. The altered hematological parameters like hemoglobin concentration, red blood cells, mean cell volume, packed cell volume, mean cell hemoglobin and mean cell hemoglobin concentration (11.1, 7.6, 12.9, 20, 3.6 and 11.2%) in D-group were restored to normal level by the co-administration of Phyllanthus amarus aqueous extract (PAAEt) at 200 mg/kg bw to diabetic rats. The activities of hepatic transaminases viz., glutamate pyruvate transaminase, glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase increased significantly while the activities of hepatic antioxidant enzymes such as glutathione peroxidase, glutathione-S-transferase, glutathione reductase, superoxide dismutase and catalase decreased significantly (p<0.05) and depletion of reduced glutathione illustrates increased lipid peroxidation (107.13%) which were restored to control level in D+PA group. In conclusion, our results clearly indicate the therapeutic efficacy of P. amarus aqueous extract against altered hematological parameters, transaminases and oxidative stress of hepatic tissue in STZ-induced diabetes. Hence this plant could be used as an adjuvant therapy for the prevention and/or management of diabetes.