Hepatoprotective, antihyperglycemic and antidiabetic effects of Dendrophthoe pentandra leaf extract in rats

Abstract

Background: Dendrophthoe pentandra (L.) Miq. is a mistletoe species used in traditional medicine. Juice of leaves is used in wound healing, skin infection and cancer; whereas the whole plant is used to treat hypertension and cough. D. pentandra leaf extract has attracted interest due to its pharmacological properties including antioxidant, cytotoxicity and anti-inflammatory effects. In this study, we have investigated the hepatopotective, antihyperglycemic and antidiabetic potential of D. pentandra leaf extracts in rats. Methods: D. pentandra leaf methanolic extract (DPLME) at a fixed dose of 400 mg/kg body weight was evaluated for its effects on fasting glucose levels of rats. DPLME at the same dose was also used to determine the antidiabetic potential in alloxan-induced diabetic rats and the hepatopotective effects on Paracetamol (PCM) intoxicated rats. Results: Oral administration of DPLME exhibited a significantly notable oral glucose tolerance in rats. Single doses of the DPLME displayed very significant antidiabetic activity which was comparable to the activity of the standard antihyperglycemic agent Metformin (MET). DPLME also offered significant hepatoprotection to PCM-intoxicated rats at levels commensurable to the standard hepatoprotective drug Silymarin (SIL).

Ganoderma applanatum mushroom provides new insights into the management of diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidemia, and hepatic degeneration: A comprehensive analysis

“…The liver mainly detoxifies xenobiotics. Elevated liver enzymes act as a mediator for liver damage (Hasan et al., 2018 ). Table 5 shows kidney function analysis including the study of creatinine, urea, and blood urea nitrogen (BUN).…”

Biochemical Activity and Hypoglycemic Effects ofRumex obtusifoliusL. Seeds Used in Armenian Traditional Medicine

“…Insulin is stored in large dense core vesicles in the pancreatic β -cells and secreted by exocytosis in response to different hormonal modulators [ 23 , 36 , 40 ]. The reduction of liver glycogen due to lack of insulin or insulin resistance is often linked with enhanced activity of glycogen phosphorylase to improve glycolysis, eventually resulted in hyperglycemia [ 33 , 41 , 42 ]. However, it is known that insulin stimulates glycogen synthase and inhibits glycogenolysis in the liver.…”

“…However, it is known that insulin stimulates glycogen synthase and inhibits glycogenolysis in the liver. Insulin deficiency results in an inactivation of glycogen synthase and enhances glycogenolysis, thereby decreasing liver glycogen in hyperglycemic animals [ 41 , 42 ].…”

“…However, our results indicated that administration of RO increased liver glycogen level (see Figure 5(a) ), compared to the untreated hyperglycemic rabbits. It may suggest that administration of RO stimulated insulin secretion from pancreatic β -cells, thereby increased liver glycogen synthesis [ 2 , 23 , 42 ]. There were no significant differences between the muscle glycogen levels of the hyperglycemic control and treated group (see Figure 5(b) ).…”

“…Liver enzymes (ALT, AST) were investigated in this study as marker for hepatic diseases and hepatic damage. They are released into the blood stream after cell membrane damage [ 42 ]. In the present study, the activity of these enzymes in serum of hyperglycemic control group of rabbits was higher compared to the hyperglycemic + RO group, which indicates that the immobilization stress had severe liver cell damage.…”