Hyperglycemia In Streptozotocin-induced Diabetic Rats Research Articles

Syringic Acid Alleviates Hyperglycemia by Regulating Hepatic Key Enzymes of Carbohydrate Metabolism in Streptozotocin-induced Diabetic Rats

Background: Diabetes mellitus is a complex metabolic disorder characterized by the development of hyperglycemia due to impaired insulin production, insulin action, or both. The persistent hyperglycemia associated with diabetes can lead to an increased risk of developing severe health problems. This study examines whether the bioactive phenolic compound Syringic Acid (SA) mitigates hyperglycemia in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Materials and Methods: A total of 30 male Sprague-Dawley rats were utilized in the investigation, and they were split into five groups: Normal (N), Normal+Syringic Acid (N+SA), Diabetic Control (DC), Diabetic+Syringic Acid (D+SA), and Diabetic+Glimepiride (D+GM). A single dose of streptozotocin (40 mg/kg) injected intraperitoneally was used to induce diabetes. Syringic Acid (SA) was given orally once a day for 60 days at a dose of 50 mg/Kg body weight. The levels of plasma insulin, glucose, glycated haemoglobin, and the activity of carbohydrate metabolizing enzymes were examined. Results were compared with diabetic rats provided with the standard drug glimepiride (0.1 mg/kg). Results: Syringic acid treatment substantially lowered hyperglycemia, enhanced insulin levels, and lowered HbA1c, in diabetic rats when given at a dose of 50 mg/Kg body weight. Additionally, syringic acid exhibited the ability to considerably lower the activities of fructose 1,6-bisphosphatase and glucose-6 phosphatase while significantly increasing the activities of glycolytic enzymes like pyruvate kinase and hexokinase. Conclusion: These results imply that syringic acid could potentially attenuate hyperglycemia in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats by modulating carbohydrate metabolism.

Effects of Fermented Camel Milk Supplemented with Sidr Fruit (Ziziphus spina-christi L.) Pulp on Hyperglycemia in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rats

Diabetes is one of the most common chronic metabolic diseases, and its occurrence rate has increased in recent decades. Sidr (Ziziphus spina-christi L.) is a traditional herbaceous medicinal plant. In addition to its good flavor, sidr has antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, sedative, analgesic, and hypoglycemic activities. Camel milk has a high nutritional and health value, but its salty taste remains the main drawback in relation to its organoleptic properties. The production of flavored or fortified camel milk products to mask the salty taste can be very beneficial. This study aimed to investigate the effects of sidr fruit pulp (SFP) on the functional and nutritional properties of fermented camel milk. SFP was added to camel milk at rates of 5%, 10%, and 15%, followed by the selection of the best-fermented product in terms of functional and nutritional properties (camel milk supplemented with 15% SFP), and an evaluation of its hypoglycemic activity in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. Thirty-two male adult albino rats (weighing 150–185 g) were divided into four groups: Group 1, nontreated nondiabetic rats (negative control); Group 2, diabetic rats given STZ (60 mg/kg body weight; positive control); Group 3, diabetic rats fed a basal diet with fermented camel milk (10 g/day); and Group 4, diabetic rats fed a basal diet with fermented camel milk supplemented with 15% SFP (10 g/day). The results revealed that supplementation of camel milk with SFP increased its total solids, protein, ash, fiber, viscosity, phenolic content, and antioxidant activity, which was proportional to the supplementation ratio. Fermented camel milk supplemented with 15% SFP had the highest scores for sensory properties compared to other treatments. Fermented camel milk supplemented with 15% SFP showed significantly decreased (p < 0.05) blood glucose, malondialdehyde, low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, cholesterol, triglycerides, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, creatinine, and urea, and a significantly increased (p < 0.05) high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, total protein content, and albumin compared to diabetic rats. The administration of fermented camel milk supplemented with 15% SFP in diabetic rats restored a series of histopathological changes alonsgside an improvement in various enzyme and liver function tests compared to the untreated group, indicating that fermented camel milk supplemented with 15% SFP might play a preventive role in such patients.

Effect of probiotic fermented camel milk containing Oat milk on hyperglycemia in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

Effect of probiotic fermented camel milk containing Oat milk on hyperglycemia in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

Comparative Study of Metformin, N-Acetylcysteine and L-Arginine on Hyperglycemia in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rats

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a chronic metabolic syndrome which results from deficiencies/defects in the pancreatic insulin secretions or insulin action on the target tissues. Purpose: To compare the beneficial effects of Metformin, N -acetylcysteine and L-arginine on dyslipidemia and hyperglycemia in Streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Study Design: Randomized controlled trial. Methodology: A total of 35 rats were used with 5 rats randomly allocated in 7 groups. Diabetic model was created by using streptozotocin (35 mg/kg) single dose intraperitoneal (IP). After 48 hours the animals with blood sugar concentration more than 300 mg/dl were considered diabetic. First group and second group were controls with Diabetic Mellitus (DM) rats. The group three, four and five with diabetic rats were given Metformin, N -acetylcysteine (NAC) and L-arginine (L-Arg) respectively. The sixth group of diabetic rats was given combination of Metformin and NAC while the seventh group of diabetic rats was given Metformin and L-Arg. All groups were treated for four weeks. At the end of the experimental period, groups were compared for fasting blood glucose. Statistical analysis: SPSS 25.0 statistical software was used to analyze the whole data. The difference between all the groups was analyzed using One-Way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA). Results: Significant improvement, with regards to the BSF test in L-Arginine Group, Metformin plus L-Arginine Group and the Metformin plus N-acetylcysteine group. Conclusion: It was concluded that in streptozotocin induced diabetic model, hyperglycaemia was significantly attenuated by the use of novel antioxidants; L-Arginine and N-acetylcysteine. Keywords: Hyperglycemia, L-arginine, Metformin, N-acetylcysteine and Streptozotocin.

A One-Step, Monolayer Culture and Chemical-Based Approach to Generate Insulin-Producing Cells From Human Adipose-Derived Stem Cells to Mitigate Hyperglycemia in STZ-Induced Diabetic Rats

The global population of individuals afflicted with diabetes mellitus has been increasing year by year, and this disease poses a serious threat to human health as well as the economies worldwide. Pancreatic or islet transplantations provide one of the most effective and long-term therapies available to treat diabetes, but the scarcity and quality of pancreatic islets limit their use in treatments. Here, we report the development of a one-step, monolayer culture, and chemical-based protocol that efficiently mediates the differentiation of human adipose-derived stem cells (hADSCs) into insulin-producing cells (IPCs). Our data indicate that hADSCs in monolayer culture that are allowed to differentiate into IPCs are superior to those in suspension cultures with respect to insulin secretion capacity (213-fold increase), cell viability (93.5 ± 3.27% vs. 41.67 ± 13.17%), and response to glucose stimulation. Moreover, the expression of genes associated with pancreatic lineage specification, such as PDX1, ISL1, and INS (encoding insulin), were expressed at significantly higher levels during our differentiation protocol (6-fold for PDX1 and ISL1, 11.5-fold for INS). Importantly, in vivo studies demonstrated that transplantation with IPCs significantly mitigated hyperglycemia in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Our results indicate that this one-step, rapid protocol increases the efficiency of IPC generation and that the chemical-based approach for IPC induction may reduce safety concerns associated with the use of IPCs for clinical applications, thereby providing a safe and effective cell-based treatment for diabetes.

Combined treatment of sinapic acid and ellagic acid attenuates hyperglycemia in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

In the present study, we aimed to investigate the effect of individual and combined treatment of sinapic acid (SA) and ellagic acid (EA) in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. Rats were divided into eight groups (n = 7): Normal Control, Diabetic Control, Diabetic + Sinapic Acid, Diabetic + Ellagic Acid, Diabetic + Sinapic Acid + Ellagic Acid, Sinapic Acid, Ellagic Acid and Sinapic Acid + Ellagic Acid. Diabetic groups were injected with a single dose of 50 mg/kg STZ intraperitoneally. Rats received 20 mg/kg/day SA and 50 mg/kg/day EA intragastrically for 28 days. The numerical density of immunopositive β-cells and volume density of pancreatic islets were calculated. Additionally, glucose and insulin levels in serum, MDA, GSH, and CAT levels of pancreatic tissue were measured. While serum glucose levels increased, serum insulin levels decreased in STZ-induced diabetic rats. But these changes in glucose and insulin were restored by individual and combined treatments of SA and EA. Also, individual and combined treatments of SA and EA increased insulin expression of β-cells in STZ-induced diabetic rats. Moreover, these compounds improved deteriorating oxidative stress parameters in STZ-induced diabetic rats. Our study indicates that SA and EA, especially their combined treatments, can be used as an antihyperglycemic agent in diabetes.

The effect of fullerenols on streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

We support the general understanding that deleterious effects induced by hyperglycemia in rats would be alleviated by means of antioxidant treatment. Also, we have been supported and encouraged by many explorations on the usage of fullerenols for treating diabetic complications. Our present study aims to examine the potentials of fullerenols against diabetes in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Animals were intraperitoneally administered with fullerenols for 15 days and then sacrificed. Following parameters were assessed: blood glucose, insulin concentration, levels of redox-related parameters, liver and kidney function biomarkers, glycogen contents, carbohydrate metabolic enzyme activities and histopathological analysis. As expected, fullerenols exhibited the well-known anti-oxidative property via decreasing MDA, increasing SOD, GSH-Px and CAT levels. Fullerenol treatment also showed a slight improvement in liver and kidney functional biomarkers, inferring a marginal hepatorenal protection. However, there were insignificant changes in levels of blood glucose, insulin, the pathological state of the necrotic islets. Herein, our results revealed that fullerenols failed to improve the function of pancreas and reverse the hyperglycemia in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats in spite of a potent antioxidant role. Our study suggested that neither diabetes nor its complications could benefit from fullerenol administration.

Therapeutic potential of low-fat yogurt supplemented with Dried Nabaq fruit (Zizyphus spina-christi L) on hyperglycemia in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.

Therapeutic potential of low-fat yogurt supplemented with Dried Nabaq fruit (Zizyphus spina-christi L) on hyperglycemia in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

Flavanols and triterpenoids from Myrianthus arboreus ameliorate hyperglycaemia in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats possibly via glucose uptake enhancement and α-amylase inhibition

Myrianthus arboreus is use traditionally as an antidiabetic agent in Ghana. We reported the in vivo antidiabetic activity of its 70 % ethanol stem bark extract (MAB) which we found to be strongly concentrated in its EtOAc fraction using glucose uptake and enzyme inhibitory assays. The present study sought to investigate the in vivo hypoglycaemic and anti-hyperlipidaemic activity of this ethyl acetate fraction of MAB (MAB-EtOAc, 50 and 100 mg/kg) in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats for 21 days, isolate and evaluate the bioactive constituents responsible for the antidiabetic activity. In silico pharmacokinetic and toxicity properties of the most active compound was also determined. MAB-EtOAc significantly (p < 0.001) reduced the blood glucose levels while normalizing considerably the altered serum lipid parameters of the diabetic rats which was comparable to glibenclamide (5 mg/kg). Chemical investigation of MAB-EtOAc led to the isolation of seven known compounds including three flavanols which are reported for the first time in the plant: epicatechin (1), epigallocatechin (2), dulcisflavan (3), euscaphic acid (4), tormentic acid (5), sitosterol-3-O-β-d-glucopyranoside (6) and arjunolic acid (7). The compounds markedly inhibited the action of α-amylase and, except for 4 and 6, which stimulated considerably glucose uptake in C2C12 cells. Compounds 2, 3, 5, 6 and 7 which were further evaluated in STZ-induced diabetic rats demonstrated hypoglycaemic and anti-hyperlipidaemic activities which, however, were not comparable with MAB-EtOAc. Compound 3, the most active compound was predicted to be non-toxic, non-mutagenic, has reasonable oral bioavailability and a decent substrate for further drug development. The findings of this study show that the isolated compounds may contribute to the antidiabetic activity of M. arboreus and could serve as marker compounds for the quality control of herbal medicines that would be made from the plant.

Orthosiphon stamineus as a potential antidiabetic drug in maternal hyperglycemia in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

BackgroundMaternal hyperglycemia is associated with increased risk of adverse outcomes for both mother and offspring. Insulin is the standard treatment of hyperglycemia with the aim to reduce risks of complications, however, due to several restrictions, the search for more effective drugs from traditional medicinal plants continues. MethodsThe antidiabetic effects of Orthosiphon stamineus (O.stamineus) in non-pregnant and pregnant streptozotocin-induced Sprague Dawley rats were identified. The effect of different concentrations of O. stamineouson insulin level using isolated pancreatic islets in response to low and high concentrations of glucose was identified. Oral glucose tolerance test was performed in both pregnant and non-pregnant rats prior to and after treatment with O. stamineus (0.1g/100g of body weight). O. stamineus was given orally daily for 2 weeks in non-pregnant and 10 days in pregnant rats. ResultsOral glucose tolerance test indicated that treatment with O. stamineus in non-pregnant and pregnant rats significantly reduced blood glucose level and stimulated glucose-induced insulin secretion. No mortality was recorded throughout the study and no signs of toxicity during the experimental period including in both mother and foetus. For plasma analysis, the interactions of peptides such as GLP-1 and ghrelin level might contribute to the glucose lowering effect by O. stamineus via stimulation of insulin. The incubation of islets showed that O. stamineussignificantly stimulated insulin release in response to high glucose. ConclusionO. stamineus could be a potential source of a specific oral hypoglycaemic agent to treat glucose intolerance in pregnancy.

Effects of Watermelon (&lt;i&gt;Citrullus lanatus&lt;/i&gt;) Seed on Blood Glucose and Electrolyte Parameters in Diabetic Wistar Rats

Given the prevalence of diabetes worldwide, with its associated complications, this study is aimed at investigating the effect of citrullus lanatus seed extract on blood glucose concentration and electrolyte parameters. Citrullus lanatus is an antioxidant and has been shown to reduce oxidative stress (Khaki et al., 2013). Effects of phytochemicals (flavonoids) on pancreatic β-cells leading to their proliferation and secretion of more insulin have been proposed by Mahesh and Menon (2004), as the mechanism by which medicinal plants used in the treatment of diabetes mellitus reduce hyperglycaemia in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Fifteen female wistar rats were used in the study, they were divided into three groups of five rats each, namely; the control group, diabetes control group administered distilled water, and diabetes group administered watermelon seed extract. The diabetic groups were made diabetic by single intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (60 mg/kg). Daily watermelon seed extract was administered orally (200 mg per kilogram body weight), one week post streptozotocin injection. On 29th day the rats were sacrificed and blood was collected via the inferior vena cava, into plain bottles and fluoride oxalate sample tubes for electrolyte; (Na + , K + , HCO 3 - , Cl - ) and glucose analyses, respectively. Results showed that plasma glucose concentration decreased significantly (P 0.05) on Na + , K + , Cl - , and HCO 3 - concentrations . In conclusion, watermelon seed extract may be of supportive treatment to combat diabetes complications. Keywords : Watermelon; Diabetes; blood glucose; electrolyte; Wistar rats

Efficacy of ginseng adventitious root extract on hyperglycemia in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

Ethnopharmacological relevanceGinseng has various bioactive effects on human health including its potential activity of improving the glucose homeostasis and insulin sensitivity. Materials and methodsTissue culture raised mountain ginseng adventitious root (TCMGARs) extract enriched with ginsenosides was used as experimental material. Streptozotocin-induced diabetic ‘Sprague Dawley’ male rats were used as experimental systems and were fed with Tissue culture raised mountain ginseng adventitious root extract. Field cultivated Korean ginseng root extract fed rats were used as positive control and several indices such as body weight, blood glucose level and other serological indicators were tested. ResultsChemical profile showed TCMGARs were rich in varied ginsenosides especially Rb1, Rb2, Rc, Rd, Rg3, and Rh2 when compared to field cultivated Korean ginseng. TCMGARs extract at dosage levels of 250 and 500mg/kg body weight significantly lowered the blood glucose, total cholesterol and triglyceride content in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. ConclusionThe data of in vivo experiments on anti-glycemic effects of TCMGARs proves their efficacy and also their use as dietary supplement.

Decrease of Plasma Glucose byHibiscus taiwanensisin Type-1-Like Diabetic Rats

Hibiscus taiwanensis (Malvaceae) is widely used as an alternative herb to treat disorders in Taiwan. In the present study, it is used to screen the effect on diabetic hyperglycemia in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats (STZ-diabetic rats). The extract of Hibiscus taiwanensis showed a significant plasma glucose-lowering action in STZ-diabetic rats. Stems of Hibiscus taiwanensis are more effective than other parts to decrease the plasma glucose in a dose-dependent manner. Oral administration of Hibiscus taiwanensis three times daily for 3 days into STZ-diabetic rats increased the sensitivity to exogenous insulin showing an increase in insulin sensitivity. Moreover, similar repeated administration of Hibiscus taiwanensis for 3 days in STZ-diabetic rats produced a marked reduction of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK) expression in liver and an increased expression of glucose transporter subtype 4 (GLUT 4) in skeletal muscle. Taken together, our results suggest that Hibiscus taiwanensis has the ability to lower plasma glucose through an increase in glucose utilization via elevation of skeletal GLUT 4 and decrease of hepatic PEPCK in STZ-diabetic rats.

Protective effect of yacon leaves decoction against early nephropathy in experimental diabetic rats

Nephropathy is the most common cause of morbidity and mortality in diabetic patients. Prevention of this complication has a major relevance. Smallanthus sonchifolius (yacon) leaves have been shown to ameliorate hyperglycemia in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. We examined the beneficial effects of yacon leaves decoction on diabetic nephropathy and explored the possible underlying action mechanism.Streptozotocin-diabetic rats were orally administered 10% yacon leaves water decoction (70mg dry extract/kg body weight) once a day for 4weeks. Biochemical parameters in blood and urine were analyzed and immunohistochemistry staining, western immunoblotting and qRT-PCR were assessed.Yacon decoction significantly decreased high blood glucose level in diabetic rats and improved insulin production. Diabetic-dependent alterations in urinary albumin excretion, creatinine clearance, kidney hypertrophy and basement membrane thickening were attenuated by yacon decoction. These findings were associated with a marked decrease in TGF-β1/Smad2/3 signaling. The expression of molecular markers of diabetic nephropathy such as collagen IV, laminin-1, fibronectin and collagen III were also diminished in the yacon-treated group compared to control diabetic group. These results suggest that yacon leaves decoction is a protective agent against renal damage in diabetic nephropathy, whose action can be mediated by TGF-β/Smads signals.

Anti-diabetic effects of an alcoholic extract of Juglans regia in an animal model

Many traditional treatments have been recommended in the alternative system of medicine for treatment of diabetes mellitus. Juglans regia is one of the medicinal plants used in traditional Iranian medicine as a treatment for diabetes, but little scientific documentation supports its antidiabetic action. The purpose of this study was to investigate antidiabetic effect of J. regia leaves in type 1 diabetes induced animal model. Materials and methods: Four groups of animals were selected. Group I animals were fed a normal diet. Animals of groups II, III, and IV received streptozotocin. Animals of groups III and IV were treated with J. regia leaf extract 200 and 400 mg/kg body weight for 28 days. The various parameters studied included body weight, blood glucose, triglycerides, cholesterols, LDL, VLDL, HDL, insulin, and glycated hemoglobin in all groups. Results: Treatment with the J. regia extracts resulted in a significant decrease in blood glucose, glycosylated hemoglobin, LDL, triglyceride, and total cholesterol, and a significant increase in insulin and HDL level. Conclusion: The plant extract is capable of ameliorating hyperglycemia in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats and is a potential source for active agent(s) for diabetes mellitus. It is concluded that J. regia leaf extract can be potentially used to control type 1 diabetes.

Effects of Fermented Red Ginseng Extracts on Hyperglycemia in Streptozotocin-induced Diabetic Rats

Fermented red ginseng (FRG) was prepared by inoculating 0.1% Lactobacillus fermentum NUC-C1 and fermenting them at <TEX>$40^{\circ}C$</TEX> for 12 hours. The ginsenoside contents of FRG were increased compared with those of red ginseng (RG). Moreover, the levels of the ginsenosides Rg2, Rg3, and Rh2 in FRG increased significantly. In an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), blood glucose levels were lower in animals fed with RG and FRG extracts than in normal controls. In particular, FRG extracts in OGTT were superior to RG extracts. The antidiabetic effects of FRG in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats were investigated. Rats were divided into four groups: normal control, diabetes mellitus (DM), FRG administered at 100 mg/kg, and FRG administered at 200 mg/kg groups. FRG extracts were orally administered to each treatment group for 3 weeks, and blood glucose, insulin, and lipid levels of each group were determined. Orally administered FRG extracts significantly reduced blood glucose levels and increased plasma insulin levels in diabetic rats. Additionally, the activities of disaccharidases, including sucrase, lactase, and maltase, were decreased significantly in the FRG groups. FRG groups also had reduced triglyceride and total cholesterol levels, compared with the DM group. These results suggest that FRG may have antidiabetic effects in STZ-induced diabetic rats.

Attenuation of oxidative stress in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats by Eucalyptus globulus.

In traditional medicine, Eucalyptus globulus (eucalyptus) was used for the treatment of diabetes mellitus. Hyperglycemia in diabetes has been associated with increased formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and oxidative damage to tissue compounds. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of eucalyptus in the diet (20 g/Kg) and drinking water (2.5 g/L) on lipid peroxidation, protein oxidation and antioxidant power in plasma and liver homogenate, as well as glycated-Hb (HbA(1C)) of blood in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats for a period of 4 weeks. Diabetes induced in rats by a single intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (STZ, 65 mg/Kg). At the end of the treatment period, the level of plasma glucose, plasma and liver malondialdehyde (MDA, the main product of lipid peroxidation), protein carbonyl (PC, one of the protein oxidation products) and HbA(1C) increased and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) decreased in diabetic rats compared to normal rats. Eucalyptus administration for 4 weeks caused a significant decrease in the plasma glucose levels, plasma and liver MDA, PC and HbA(1C), also a concomitant increase in the levels of FRAP in diabetic treated rats. In conclusion, the present study showed that eucalyptus posses antioxidant activities. Eucalyptus probably restores antioxidant power, due to the improved hyperglycemia in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.

Hypoglycaemic effect of methylene chloride/methanol root extract ofCeiba pentandrain normal and diabetic rats

<b>Objective:</b> The current study examined the effects of the methylene chloride/methanol extract of root bark of <i> Ceiba pentandra</i> (L) in normal and streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.<br><b> Materials and Methods:</b> Diabetes was induced by intravenous streptozotocin (55 mg/kg) in adult male albino Wistar rats. Single and multiple dose studies were carried out. Blood glucose levels were determined after oral administration of graded doses of <i> C. pentandra</i> (40, 75, 150 and 300 mg/kg) in fasting normal and diabetic groups for the single dose study; and before and at the end of day 3 of the treatment period for the multiple dose study.<br><b> Results:</b> In both the groups, the extract (40 and 75 mg/kg) significantly reduced the blood glucose 5 hours after administration, in a consistent and time-dependent manner. <i> C. pentandra</i> at the lower dose (40 mg/kg) produced 40% and 48.9% lowering of blood-glucose in normal and diabetic rats, respectively compared to the initial values. In the multiple dose studies, the diabetic rats were treated orally by gavage, twice a day for three days. On day 3, <i> C. pentandra </i> (40 and 75 mg/kg) significantly decreased blood and urine glucose, compared to initial values. With 40 and 75 mg/kg of drug, the 14 h fasting blood glucose concentration was reduced by 59.8% and 42.8% with corresponding reductions of urine glucose levels by 95.7% and 63.6%, respectively.<b> <br>Conclusion:</b> These results indicate that <i> C. pentandra</i> possesses a hypoglycaemic effect. The plant extract is capable of ameliorating hyperglycaemia in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats and is a potential source for isolation of new orally active agent(s) for diabetes mellitus.

Hypoglycaemic and antidiabetic effect of root extracts of &lt;I&gt;Ceiba pentandra&lt;/I&gt; in normal and diabetic rats

The effect of the root bark extract of Ceiba pentandra (Linn) in normal and streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats was studied. Blood glucose levels were determined after oral administration of graded doses of C. pentandra (40, 75,150 and 300 mg/kg) in fasted normal and diabetic groups. In both groups, 40 and 75 mg/kg of the extract, significantly reduced blood glucose levels 8 h after administration, which was consistent and time-dependent. C. pentandra at the lower dose of 40mg/kg produced blood -glucose-lowering effect of 40.0% and 48.9%, in normal and diabetic rats respectively when compared with control rats. The higher doses of 150 and 300 mg/kg did not affect significantly the blood glucose levels. In multiple dose studies, the diabetic rats were treated orally by gavages, twice a day for 3 days. On day 3, C. pentandra (40 and 75mg/kg) significantly decreased blood and urine glucose levels as compared to initial values. The 14 h fasting blood glucose concentration was lowered by 59.8 % and 42.8% at the doses of 40 and 75 mg/kg and the corresponding urine glucose levels reductions were 95.7% and 63.6%, respectively. The results indicated that C. pentandra possessed hypoglycaemic effect. The plant extract was capable of ameliorating at lower doses, hyperglycaemia in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats and could be a potential source for isolation of new orally active agent(s) for anti-diabetic therapy. Keywords : Ceiba pentandra , plant extract, diabetes mellitus, hypoglycaemic African Journal of Traditional, Complementary and Alternative Medicines Vol. 3(1) 2006: 129-136

Specific Inhibition of Hormone-Sensitive Lipase Improves Lipid Profile while Reducing Plasma Glucose

Elevation of plasma free fatty acids has been linked with insulin resistance and diabetes. Inhibition of lipolysis may provide a mechanism to decrease plasma fatty acids, thereby improving insulin sensitivity. Hormone-sensitive lipase (HSL) is a critical enzyme involved in the hormonally regulated release of fatty acids and glycerol from adipocyte lipid stores, and its inhibition may thus improve insulin sensitivity and blood glucose handling in type 2 diabetes. In rat adipocytes, forskolin-activated lipolysis was blocked by in vitro addition of a potent and selective HSL inhibitor or by prior treatment of the animals themselves. Antilipolytic effects also were demonstrated in overnight-fasted mice, rats, and dogs with species-dependent effects on plasma free fatty acid levels but with similar reductions in plasma glycerol being observed in all species. Inhibition of HSL also reduced hyperglycemia in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. The data support a connection between adipose tissue lipolysis and plasma glucose levels.