Abstract
Control of postprandial hyperglycemia is crucial in the management of diabetes mellitus. Despite the use of the current hypoglycemic drugs, incidence of diabetes and related diseases continue to increase. This study aimed at evaluating the in vivo antihyperglycemic activity of methyl-3β-hydroxylanosta-9,24-dien-21-oate (RA-3), a lanosteryl triterpene isolated, and characterized from Protorhus longifolia stem bark. Spectroscopic data analysis was used to establish and verify the structure of the triterpene. The antihyperglycemic activity of the triterpene was evaluated in an STZ-induced diabetes rat model. The experimental animals were orally administered with RA-3 (100 mg/kg body weight) daily for 14 days. An oral glucose tolerance test was also performed. The animals were euthanized and biochemical analysis of antioxidant status, some glycolytic enzymes and glycogen content were conducted on serum and liver samples, respectively. RA-3 exhibited hypoglycemic activity by reducing blood glucose levels by 37%. The triterpene also improved glucose tolerance in the diabetic rats. Relatively higher hepatic glycogen content, hexokinase and glucokinase activity with a decrease in glucose-6-phosphatase activity were observed in the triterpene-treated diabetic group when compared with the diabetic control group. The triterpene treatment further increased antioxidant status of the diabetic animals; increased activity of superoxide dismutase and catalase were observed along with a decrease in malondialdehyde content. The results indicate potential pharmaceutical effects of lanosteryl triterpene in the management of diabetes mellitus.
Highlights
Diabetes mellitus, one of the metabolic disorders characterized by chronic hyperglycemia, is a serious global health concern rapidly reaching epidemic levels
This work was aimed at investigating the hypoglycemic activity of the triterpene, methyl-3βhydroxylanosta-9,24-dien-21-oate, from P. longifolia in vivo
Chronic hyperglycemia is considered the main cause of the debilitating effects of diabetes mellitus [3]
Summary
One of the metabolic disorders characterized by chronic hyperglycemia, is a serious global health concern rapidly reaching epidemic levels. Type 2 (an insulin-independent diabetes mellitus) diabetes is responsible for over 90% of all cases of diabetes [2]. Hyperglycemia resulting from defects in insulin secretion, insulin action, or both, is considered the main cause of the debilitating effects of diabetes [3]. The hyperglycemia and hyperlipidemia commonly observed in diabetic patients are considered the main contributors to the development of micro- and macro-vascular complications [3,4]. Experimental evidence has indicated the role of oxidative stress in the pathogenesis and complications of diabetes [5]. Control of postprandial hyperglycemia, hyperlipidemia, and oxidative stress are crucial in the treatment of diabetes
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