P10 Effects of Sanseviera liberica methanolic root extract on liver glycogen and serum insulin in streptozotocin-induced diabetic albino rats

Abstract

The present study was undertaken to examine the effects of Sanseviera liberica methanolic root extract on glycogen level and insulin level in streptozotocin-induced diabetic albino rats. The Sanseviera liberica methanolic root extract has been shown to have a hypoglycaemic effect. Diabetes mellitus is a group of physiological dysfunctions characterized by hyperglycaemia resulting directly from insulin resistance, inadequate insulin secretion, or excessive glucagon secretion. Liver is the major site for glycogen storage. Glycogen content can be significantly altered upon disruption of glucose homeostasis in metabolic syndromes, such as diabetes. Estimation of liver glycogen was carried out by taking liver samples from normal control, diabetic control and extract treated albino rats. Rats weighing 100–160 g were administered a 60 mg/kg body weight dose of streptozotocin intraperitoneally for the induction of diabetes, followed by the oral administration of 200 mg/kg body weight Sanseviera liberica methanolic root extract from day 3 to day 21, half an hour prior to feeding twice daily. The liver glycogen and serum insulin of the animals was then analysed. Results showed a significant ( P Sanseviera liberica methanolic extract. This study has established a possible mechanism of action of roots of Sanseviera liberica methanolic root extract (SME) group by reversing DM induced elevated liver glycogen to near normal levels, which may be due to its activating effect on glucokinase and glycogen synthetase.