The aim of this study to find out the perfect dose of Berberine chloride (BC) in streptozotocin (STZ) induced diabetic rats by observation of effect of BC on blood glucose, plasma insulin, glycated hemoglobin and hemoglobin. Experimental diabetes was induced in rats by a single dose of intraperitonial injection of streptozotocin (40 mg/kg b.w). After the 72 hours, diabetic rats treated with BC at different concentrations (25. 50 and 100 mg/kg b.w) for 45 days. BC administration significantly declined the levels of blood glucose, glycated hemoglobin and renal markers whereas elevated the levels of plasma insulin, hemoglobin and body weight in diabetic rats. 50 mg/kg b.w of BC showed the prominent effect compared to other two doses. From these results clearly shows the antidiabetic activity of BC.

The aim of this study was to analyze compounds from the methanolic extract of fruits of Helicteres isora for antidiabetic activity. Sanguinarine, berberine chloride (BC) and muscimol were found to be as major compounds in the methanolic fruits extract of H. isora. BC was isolated from the methanolic fruit extract of H. isora by using HPLC and other compounds were commercially acquired. Diabetes was induced in rats by a single dose of intraperitonial injection of streptozotocin (STZ). Sanguinarine (50 mg/kg b.w), BC (50 mg/kg b.w) and muscimol (50 mg/kg b.w) were evaluated by Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT) in normal and STZ induced diabetic rats. Among the three compounds, BC significantly reduced the blood glucose levels when compared to sanguinarine and muscimol. The OGTT study clearly indicates, BC possess promising antidiabetic activity against STZ induced diabetic rats.

hyperfiltration and hyperperfusion, before the onset of any measurable clinical changes. [1] Subsequently, development of diabetic nephropathy mesangial expansion and changes in the matrix of glomerular and tubular basement membranes take place. [2,3] Hyperglycemia is associated with an increase in mesangial cell proliferation and hypertrophy, as well as increased matrix production and basement membrane thickening. [4,5] Mesangial cells are crucial for maintenance of glomerular capillary structure and for the modulation of glomerular filtration via smooth-muscle activity. In vitro studies have demonstrated that hyperglycemia is associated with increased mesangial cell matrix production and mesangial cell apoptosis. [6,7] The extracellular matrix (ECM) in the basement membrane of the kidney glomeruli is of particular importance for the filtration properties. Structural changes in mesangial and basement matrix are related to proteinuria and thus Background: Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is a serious complication in diabetes and now it has become the most common cause of end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Development of diabetic nephropathy is characterized by a thickening of the glomerular basement membrane and expansion of extracellular matrix proteins in the mesangial and tubulointerstitial areas, followed ultimately by progression to glomerular sclerosis and tubulointerstitial atrophy and fibrosis associated with renal dysfunction. Several growth factors, signaling pathways, along with hyperglycemia affect ECM synthesis and turnover in DN. Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the significance of plasma and urinary matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) in type 2 diabetic patients with microalbuminuria. Materials and Methods: Fifty type 2 diabetic patients with more than 5 year diabetic duration in the age group of 35-60 years were selected for this study and 25 age-matched healthy individuals were selected as a control group. Plasma and urinary levels of MMP-9 were assessed by ELISA method and microalbumin by turbilatex method. Results: The plasma and urinary MMP-9 levels are significantly elevated in type 2 DM with microalbuminuria compared to normoalbuminuric type 2DM and also there is significant elevation observed in normoalbuminuric type 2 DM compared to controls. Conclusion: Plasma and urinary MMP-9 might be useful to detect early stages of nephropathy in T2DM patients. Hence, measurement of plasma and urinary MMP-9 could be useful diagnostic markers for the assessment of renal changes in type 2 diabetic patients even before the appearance of microalbuminuria.

The present investigation was carried out to evaluate the protective role of Helicteres isora plant extract on glycoprotein metabolism in streptozotocin (STZ) induced type 2 diabetic rats. Helicteres isora plant extract was administered orally (200 mg/kg body weight) for 45 days to normal and diabetic rats. The effects of Helicteres isora plant extract on plasma and tissue glycoproteins (hexose, hexosamine, sialic acid and fucose) were determined. The levels of plasma glycoproteins containing hexose, hexosamine, sialic acid and fucose were significantly increased in diabetic rats when compared with normal control rats. There was a significant decrease in the level of sialic acid and elevated levels of hexose, hexosamine and fucose in the liver and kidney of STZ induced diabetic rats. On oral administration of Helicteres isora plant extract to diabetic rats showed decreased levels of plasma glycoproteins. The level of tissue sialic acid was increased whereas the levels of tissue hexose, hexosamine and fucose were reversed to near normal. The present study indicates that the Helicteres isora plant extract possesses a significant protective effect on glycoprotein metabolism in addition to its anti-diabetic effect.

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