Investigating the potential effects of olive leaves and ginger rhizome extracts on kidney and liver functions in alloxan-induced diabetic rats.

Background and Aim: Diabetes is a major public health problem worldwide. Oxidative stress is a risk factor in diabetes. The aim of this study is to evaluate the possible beneficial effect of caffeic acid (CA) on serum lipid parameters and atherogenic index in alloxan-induced male diabetic rats. Materials and Methods: 40 male Wistar rats were randomly divided into 4 groups: group I as the healthy control group, group II as the healthy group treated with CA (50 mg/kg i.p. daily), group III as the diabetic control group and group IV as the diabetic group treated with CA (50 mg/kg i.p.daily). Diabetes was induced in the 3rd and 4th groups by the injection of alloxan monohydrate (100 mg/kg s.c). After seven weeks, animals were anaesthetized and blood samples were collected. Then, the serum level of fasting blood glucose (FBS), lipid parameters and the atherogenic index were measured. Results: The serum level of FBS, cholesterol, low density lipoprotein (LDL-C) and atherogenic index significantly decreased in the diabetic group treated with CA compared with the untreated diabetic group. The serum level of high density lipoprotein (HDL-C) significantly increased in the treated diabetic group compared with the untreated diabetic group. Conclusion: The results of this study indicated that CA has beneficial effects on serum blood glucose, lipid profile and atherogenic index in type 1 diabetic rats.

Background:Carthamus tinctorius L. (Compositae) has been used in Iranian traditional medicine for treatment of diabetes. In this study, anti-diabetic effect of its hydroalcoholic extract was compared with that of glibenclamide.Methods:Male white Wistar rats were randomly allocated into four groups of six each: nondiabetic control; diabetic control; diabetic treated with hydroalcoholic extract of Carthamus tinctorius (200 mg kg-1 BW); diabetic rats treated with glibenclamide (0.6 mg kg-1 BW). Alloxan was administered (120 mg kg-1 BW), intraperitoneally to induce diabetes. Fasting blood samples were collected three times, before injection of alloxan, two weeks and six weeks after injection of alloxan and fasting blood sugar (FBS), Hb A1C, insulin, cholesterol, LDL-C, HDL-C, VLDL-C, triglyceride, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) were measured each time.Results:FBS, triglyceride, cholesterol, LDL-C and VLDL-C had a meaningful decrease in diabetic rats treated with Carthamus tinctorius and diabetic rats treated with glibenclamide as compared with diabetic rats with no treatment. Insulin level increased significantly in diabetic groups received treatment (glibenclamide or Carthamus tinctorius L) in comparison with diabetic group with no treatment. The histological study revealed size of islets of Langerhans enlarged significantly consequentially as compared with diabetic rats with no treatment. The extract appeared non toxic as evidenced by normal levels of AST, ALP and ALT. Effects of administrating glibenclamide or extract of Carthamus tinctorius L on all biochemical parameters discussed above showed no difference and both tend to bring the values to near normal.Conclusion:These results suggested that the hydroalcoholic extract of Carthamus tinctorius possesses beneficial effect on treatment of diabetes.

Lipid oxidation is a major cause of quality deterioration in edible oils, driving demand for safe, natural alternatives to synthetic antioxidants such as butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), which are limited by thermal instability and potential toxicity. This study investigated the effect of ginger (Zingiber officinale) rhizome extract on phytochemical composition, antioxidant activity, sensory acceptability, and oxidative stability of palm olein under accelerated oxidation storage. The bioactive profile of the extract was characterized, and the extract incorporated into additive-free palm olein at 200, 400 and 800 ppm, with BHT at 200 ppm as the positive control. The palm olein treatments were stored at 180°C for 5 consecutive days, with 4 hours of heating per day, to simulate accelerated oxidation. Oxidative stability was assessed by determining acid value (AV), peroxide value (PV), saponification value (SV), refractive index (RI), p-Anisidine value (p-AV), total oxidation (TOTOX), conjugated dienes (CD) and conjugated trienes (CT). The ginger rhizome extract (TPC: 136.27± 0.99 mg GAE/g; TFC: 439.41± 0.67 mg QE/g) exhibited strong antioxidant potential with an IC50 of 0.12± 0.04 mg/ml, which correlated positively with its total phenolic and flavonoid content. The BHT significantly suppressed the formation of primary and secondary oxidation products more effectively than ginger rhizome extract at lower concentrations, as indicated by significantly lower p-AV and CD extinction coefficient values than all other treatments. However, the ginger rhizome extract exhibited a broader protective capacity, especially at 800 ppm, significantly reducing hydrolytic degradation, as measured by AV and SV, and limiting PV and CT extinction coefficient, by Day 5 of the accelerated oxidation storage. For TOTOX values, the PC maintained significantly lower values than all other treatments. These results demonstrate that while synthetic BHT acts mainly as a free-radical scavenger, ginger rhizome extract provides a multifaceted oxidative protection mechanism, improving both shelf life and sensory quality of palm olein, and represents a promising natural antioxidant for edible oil preservation. Key words: Ginger extract, palm olein, antioxidants, oxidative stability, phytochemicals, sensory acceptability

Due to the increasing prevalence of diabetes and side effects of chemical medicines, it is worthwhile to discover non-pharmacological treatments for this disease. Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum L) and Cordia myxa, are among the widely used medicinal herbs.The present study aimed to compare the antidiabetic activities of Trigonella foenum graecum seed aqueous extract (TE) with Cordia myxa fruit aqueous extract (CE) in alloxan-induced diabetic rats. Diabetes was induced in male Wistar rats by intraperitoneal injection of alloxan (120 mg/kg BW) and afterwards, rats were randomly allocated into four groups as the following: Group 1: Normal rats, Group 2: Diabetic control rats, Group 3: diabetic rats received TE (870 mg/kg BW), Group 4: diabetic rats received CE (500 mg/kg BW).The extracts were administered orally for 30 days. Treatment with both extracts caused a significant reduction in blood glucose and glycated hemoglobin of diabetic rats in comparison with diabetic control group (P < 0.001). The activities of catalase and superoxide dismutase in diabetic rats were decreased while there was an increase in the concentration of malondialdehyde in the liver. After a period of one-month oral administration, both extracts significantly decreased the altered parameters in diabetic rats compared to untreated controls (P < 0.05).Treatment with CE significantly decreased the elevated levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST) and ALP (alkaline phosphatase) compared with untreated diabetic group (P < 0.05).Moreover, TE supplementation resulted in a significant decrease in liver enzymes except ALP compared to the diabetic control group (P < 0.05). Despite the comparable therapeutic efficacy, Cordia myxa fruit could be superior to Trigonella foenum graecum seeds due to its sweet taste and fewer side-effects.

Even though the hypoglycemic effect of various extracts of ginger had been delved into exhaustively the similar effect of the cooked form of the spice is yet to be ascertained. This is of vital importance since ginger is mostly consumed in cooked form in various dishes. Hence, the objective of this study is to determine the efficacy of raw and cooked ginger extracts in lowering blood glucose in normal and high fat diet-induced diabetic rats, an experimental model of Type 2 diabetes which is the most prevalent type of the disease. Male Albino rats (63) were divided into seven groups and designated thus: Group 1 – normal negative control, Group 2 – normal rats given raw ginger extract, Group 3 - normal rats given cooked ginger extract, Group 4 - diabetic control, Group 5 –diabetic rats given raw ginger extract, Group 6 – diabetic rats given cooked ginger extract and Group 7 – diabetic rats given Metformin. The diabetic groups were fed high fat diet for 12 weeks after which the 4 weeks extracts administration commenced Fasting blood glucose was determined before and after the 12 weeks diet introduction and at the 2nd and 4th weeks of extracts’ administration by using ACCU-CHEK Active Glucometer, Roche, Germany. ANOVA and Least Significant Difference were used for statistical analyses. There was no significant difference between. Raw ginger extract and Metformin normalized fasting blood glucose (FBG) in the diabetic rats because there was no significant difference (p<0.05) between these two groups and the normal negative control at 4 weeks extracts and drug administration. The cooked extract did not normalize the blood glucose but lowered it by 35%..The two extracts had similar hypoglycemic effect (24% reduction, p<0.05) in normal rats at 2 weeks and 4 weeks of administration. Hence raw ginger extract is as effective as Merformin in normalizing FBG but the cooked form may require a longer period to exert similar effect..Even though the extracts lowered the FBG below normal in normal rats this may not lead to clinically threatening hypoglycemia.

The study was carried out to evaluate the anti-diabetic effect of Luffa cylindrical (native sponge /sponge gourd) seed and leaf extracts in alloxan- induced diabetic rats. Sixteen experimental rats were divided into four groups of four rats each: a, diabetic control; b, normal control; c, diabetic rats treated with seed extract (400 mg/kg) and d, diabetic rats treated with leaf extract (400 mg/kg). The groups A, C and D rats were induced with diabetes intraperitoneally with alloxan (150 mg/kg bw). Phytochemical screening was carried out on the plant seed and leaf extracts and the following biochemical tests were carried out: blood glucose, serum lipid profile, serum alanine aminotransferase, serum aspartate aminotransferase, serum alkaline phosphatase, total protein, albumin, creatinine, urea, uric acid and some electrolytes like Na+, K+, HCO3-, and Cl- the administration of alloxan to experimental rats resulted in an increased level of most biochemical parameters; blood glucose, serum alanine aminotransferase, serum aspartate aminotransferase and serum alkaline phosphatase, serum total cholesterol, triglyceride, low density lipoprotein, creatinine, urea and uric acid. Luffa cylindrica seed and leaf extracts was administered to groups c and d diabetic rats respectively for two weeks, results were compared with normal control and diabetic control rats these parameters were found to be significantly (p&lt;0.05) high in the diabetic groups than in the normal control groups. Treatment with the plant extract significantly (p&lt;0.05) reduced elevated blood levels of glucose, cholesterol, triglyceride, alkaline phosphatase, amylase, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, creatinine, urea, uric acid associated with alloxan-induced diabetic rats. The plant tested positive for alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins and tannins, negative for cardiac glycosides, phenols, resins, terpenes and steroids. Extracts of Luffa cylindrica seed and leaf has shown to have anti-diabetic and anti-lipidemic effects generally on alloxan induced diabetic rats. The study’s findings has shown that the plant possess hypoglycaemic and hypolipidaemic property and has supported the traditional use of Luffa cylindrica plant in the management of diabetes and its complications.

The aim of this study is to examine the antihyperglycemic activity of root of Berberis aristata D.C. in alloxan-induced diabetic rats. Five groups of albino Wistar rats were used (n = 6). The two dose of 71.42 and 100 mg/kg body weight ethanol extract of B. aristata were selected for antidiabetic activity. Blood glucose levels were estimated in all the groups by the commercial kit (Span diagnostic Pvt. Ltd, Surat) on 1st, 5th, 10th and 20th day of the treatment with B. aristata. The serum cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL, liver glycogen and body weight were estimated on 20th day of treatment in all the groups compared against diabetic control group. The different extracts of root of B. aristata were also tested for glucose tolerance test in normal fasted rats. The ethanol extract of root of B. aristata 71.42 and 100 mg/kg body weight showed a significant (P<0.01) reduction of serum glucose level in alloxan induced diabetic rats at 15th day as compared to diabetic control group. Cholesterol and triglycerides level were increased very significantly (P<0.01), in diabetic animal when compared with normal control group. The level of cholesterol and triglycerides reduced very significantly (P<0.01), when compared with diabetic control group. The level of HDL cholesterol was significantly (P<0.05) increased in the extract treated group when compared to diabetic control group. In oral glucose tolerance test ethanol extract of B. aristata increase the glucose tolerance. It is concluded that the ethanol extract of B. aristata possess anti-diabetic activity in alloxan induced diabetic rats. The ethanol extract of B. aristata is very promising to develop standardized phytomedicine for diabetes mellitus. Key words: Berberis aristata, Indian berbery, daruharidra, alloxan-induced diabetes

In recent years, ginger has become a subject of interest because of its beneficial effects on human health. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effects of daily oral administration of ginger extract for 6 weeks on plasma glucose, lipid profile and kidney functions in alloxan -induced diabetic rats to show the ameliorating and partly curative effects in alloxan induced-diabetic rats (150 mg/kg i.p.(Intrapretonial). Rats (130-150gm) were divided into 4 groups; normal control rats, diabetic control rats, diabetic rats post -treated with ginger and diabetic rats pretreated with ginger. Ginger extract was administered orally for 6 weeks to post-treated and pre-treated rats, and they were compared with the normal and diabetic groups, respectively. Plasma glucose was reduced significantly in both post-treated and pretreated groups. The post-treatment with ginger extract reduced plasma cholesterol, triglyceride and LDL-cholesterol, but during the pre-treatment with ginger extract produced insignificant change only in plasma triglyceride level. The plasma HDLcholesterol was significantly increased in post-treated and pre-treated groups. The plasma creatinine, urea and uric acid levels were signifi cantly reduced in post-treated group; also in pre-treated group, they were reduced but urea level statistically did not change. It is concluded that the consumption of ginger produced a significant hypoglycemic effect in diabetic rats . In addition, ginger is capable of improving hyperlipidemia and the impaired kidney functions in alloxan-induced diabetic rats. Keyword: ginger, kidney function, glucose, plasma, lipids, alloxan, rats, diabetic.

Introduction The aim of the present study was to evaluate the hepatoprotective activities of the ethanolic roots extract of Ageratum conyzoides (AC) in alloxan-induced hepatic damage in diabetic rats. Materials and Methods Diabetes was induced in Wistar rats by the administration of alloxan (150 mg/kg, intraperitoneal). The ethanolic roots extract of AC, at doses of 250 and 500 mg/kg of body weight, was administered to diabetes-induced rats at a single dose per day for a period of 28 days. Results The effect of the ethanolic roots extract of AC on blood glucose, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and hepatic oxidative stress markers was measured in the diabetic rats. The ethanolic roots extract of AC exhibited significant reduction of blood glucose (p &lt; 0.05) at the dose of 500 mg/kg when compared with the standard drug glibenclamide (600 µg/kg). The alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels increased significantly (p &lt; 0.05) in the diabetic group without treatment when compared with the control group. In addition, the levels of oxidative stress markers, such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and glutathione (GSH), were significantly decreased in the diabetic rats compared with the normal rats, while the lipid peroxidation significantly increased in the diabetic group without treatment compared with the control (normal) group. The results demonstrated that the morphological, functional and oxidative stress changes in the liver caused by the ingestion of alloxan were attenuated in diabetic rats treated with the ethanolic roots extract of AC. Conclusion We concluded that the ethanolic roots extract of AC possesses significant antidiabetic, antioxidant and hepatoprotective effects on alloxan-induced diabetic rats.

The leaves of Ajuga remota benth have been utilized traditionally for the treatment of patients with diabetes mellitus. However, its use has not been scientifically validated. The present study was therefore, aimed to assess the antihyperglycemic and antihyperlipidemic activities of ethanol extract of A. remota leaves in streptozotocin (STZ) induced diabetic rats. Antihyperglycemic and antihyperlipidemic activities of ethanol extract of A. remota leaves (AREt) were studied in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats. The effect of extract on fasting blood glucose, body weight, lipid profile, serum, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, urea, creatinine and total protein were analyzed. Glibenclamide was used as standard drug. Ethanol extract of A. remota leaves has showed significant blood glucose lowering effect as compared to the diabetic control group. After diabetic rats were treated with 200 and 400 mg/kg ethanol extract of A. remota leaves for 28 days, there were a significant decrease in fasting blood glucose, total cholesterol, triacylglycerol, low density lipoprotein cholesterol, serum alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase, and significant increase in body weight, serum total protein, high density lipoprotein cholesterol levels as compared to untreated control diabetic rats. The results of the present study showed that ethanol extract of A. remota leaves might be useful for management of diabetes mellitus and other associated abnormalities. The present study might support the traditional use of A. remota for diabetes mellitus treatment. Key words: Ajuga remota benth, diabetes mellitus, streptozotocin.

Objective To study the level of urinary 8-hydroxy deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) in type 2 diabetic patients with or without coronary heart disease.Methods 150 cases were selected from hospitalized patients and the physical examination center in the General Hospital of Tianjin Medical University and were divided into diabetic group (n =50,male 25,female 25),diabetic patients with coronary heart disease group (n =50,male 25,female 25) and healthy control group (n =50,male 25,female 25).24 hours urine were collected,then urinary 8-OHdG was tested with enzyme linked immunosorbent assay,and urine creatinine was tested with trinitrophenol method.Blood glucose,creatinine,uric acid and blood urea nitrogen with enzymatic method,and HbA1 c with HPLC method,and fibrinogen (FIB) with Clauss method were also tested.Results Compared with normal control group [(6.97 ± 2.13) ng/mgCr],urinary 8-OHdG was increased in diabetes group [(12.26 ± 3.57) ng/mgCr] and diabetic coronary heart disease group [(14.41 ± 2.84) ng/mgCr].While compared with diabetes group,urinary 8-OHdG was significantly elevated in diabetic coronary heart disease group.Compared with healthy control group,the level of systolic blood pressure,body mass index,HbAlc,fasting blood glucose,2 hour postprandial blood glucose,triglyceride and fibrinogen were significantly higher in diabetic group and diabetic coronary heart disease group (all P ＜ 0.01),and the level of high density lipoprotein-cholesterol was lower (P ＜ 0.05).Compared with diabetes group,the level of HbA1c,2 h postprandial blood glucose and fibrinogen were significantly higher in diabetic coronary heart disease group (all P ＜ 0.01).Urinary 8-OHdG was positively related to systolic blood pressure,waist circumference,body mass index,triglyceride,fibrinogen,HbA1 c,fasting plasma glucose and 2 h postprandial blood glucose.After stepwise regressive analysis,HbA1c had significant effect on the levels of urinary 8-OHdG (P ＜ 0.001).Conclusions The level of urinary 8-OHdG is increased in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and diabetic patients with coronary heart disease.Urinary 8-OHdG might be a new marker for evaluating diabetic atherosclerosis. Key words: 8-Hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine ; Diabetes mellitus ; Coronary heart disease ; Atherosclerosis ; Oxidative stress

Aloe barbadensis juice extract has been reported to possess hypoglycaemic property but the effects of its use on kidney and liver functions in diabetic animals have not been well investigated. This study investigated some biochemical parameters in the liver and kidney of alloxan-induced diabetic rats treated with Aloe barbadensis juice extract. Alloxan-induced diabetic rats were administered orally with Aloe barbadensis juice extract for seven days after which some biochemical indices in the serum, liver and kidney were measured and compared with the control. Serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), urea and creatinine of untreated diabetic group and treated diabetic groups were significantly elevated when compared with the normal control group with no significant changes in the levels of the enzymes in the liver and kidney. There were no significant changes (p>0.05) in the serum levels of Na+ and K+ in untreated diabetic group and treated diabetic groups when compared with the normal control rats which are not diabetic. These results suggest that administration of aqueous extract of Aloe barbadensis to diabetic rats did not have any adverse effect on the liver and kidney functions in rats showing that the extract is not toxic to man. Keywords: Aloe barbadensis, Alloxan, Liver function, Kidney function, Diabetic rats.

Aim: The current study observed the antidiabetic effect of Vasant Kusumakar Ras, an Ayurvedic polyherbal formulation, in alloxan-induced and dexamethasone-induced diabetic rats.&#x0D; Materials and Methods: Alloxan (120 mg/kg, i.p.) and dexamethasone sodium phosphate (5 mg/kg, i.p.) were used to induce diabetes in rats. The oral antidiabetic activity of Vasant Kusumakar Ras was evaluated by single doses of Vasant Kusumakar Ras (400 and 600 mg/kg, p.o.) in albino rats during a 10-day treatment period, with the effect of the Vasant Kusumakar Ras on blood glucose levels and serum lipid parameters measured on 0, 7th, and 11th day. Glibenclamide (5 mg/kg, p.o.) was used as the reference drug.&#x0D; Results: In alloxan-induced diabetic rats, the elevated levels of blood glucose significantly (p &lt; 0.05) decreased after oral administration of Vasant Kusumakar Ras (400 mg/kg and 600 mg/kg), and Glibenclamide (5 mg/kg). When compared to the diabetic control group, treatment with Vasant Kusumakar Ras and Glibenclamide for 10 days reduced total cholesterol (TC) significantly (p &lt; 0.001). Treatment with Vasant Kusumakar Ras and Glibenclamide for 10 days, significantly (p &lt; 0.001) decreased low-density lipoprotein (LDL) level when compared to the diabetic control group. In dexamethasone-induced diabetic rats, all rats given with dexamethasone and Vasant Kusumakar Ras (400 mg/kg and 600 mg/kg) showed a significant (p &lt; 0.05) decrease in the level of blood glucose when compared with diabetic control rats. The rats treated with dexamethasone and Glibenclamide showed a significant (p &lt; 0.05) decrease in blood glucose level when compared to diabetic control rats. When compared to the diabetic control group, treatment with Vasant Kusumakar Ras and Glibenclamide (5 mg/kg) for 10 days reduced TC significantly (p &lt; 0.001). Treatment with Vasant Kusumakar Ras and Glibenclamide for 10 days, significantly (p &lt; 0.001) decreased LDL level when compared to the diabetic control group.&#x0D; Conclusion: Vasant Kusumakar Ras was shown to have significant antidiabetic activity comparable to that of glibenclamide and it also improves the lipid metabolism in both alloxan-induced and dexamethasone-induced diabetic rats.

Hepatoprotective potential of alpha-lipoic acid against gliclazide-induced liver injury in high-glucose-exposed human liver cells and experimental type 2 diabetic rats

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of aqueous extract of alfalfa on blood glucose and serum lipids in alloxan-induced diabetic rats. Thirty-two adult male Wistar rats weighing 210-250g were selected and divided randomly into four groups of eight animals each for 21 days as follows: (1)control group, (2)diabetic control group, (3)diabetic group plus aqueous extract of alfalfa (250mg/l), and (4)diabetic group plus aqueous extract of alfalfa (500mg/l). Serum concentrations of total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), triglycerides (TG), very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL), glucose, and the liver enzymes such as aspartate transaminase (AST) and alanine transaminase (ALT) were measured at the end of period in all studied groups. Administration of 250 and 500mg/l aqueous alfalfa extract resulted in a significantly decreased glucose, TC, TG, LDL-C, VLDL, ALT, and AST levels and increased HDL levels as compared with the control group and diabetic control group (p < 0.05). Histological examination showed that the aqueous alfalfa extract caused reconstruction of damaged liver and pancreas. These results suggest that aqueous alfalfa extract revealed significant effects on blood lipids and glucose levels in diabetic rats and might be useful in prevention and treatment of diabetes. However, further studies are needed to determine the exact impacts of those effects.