Persistence of acidosis in alloxan-induced diabetic rats treated with the juice of Asystasia gangetica leaves

Abstract

Background:Diabetes mellitus is gradually becoming a global health burden leading to an increase in the search for herbal hypoglycemic agents as alternatives to synthetic ones. Asystasia gangetica is one of the herbs used in folklore system of medicine for managing hypoglycaemia associated with diabetes.Materials and Methods:The influence of the juice of A. gangetica leaf on alloxan-induced diabetic rats was assessed by treating diabetic rats with 25%, 50% and 75% fresh juice and glibenclamide for 5 weeks. Afterwards, the plasma concentrations of glucose, triacylglycerols, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances and bicarbonate were assayed spectrophotometrically.Results:Treatment of the diabetic rats with the juice significantly (P < 0.05) reduced the elevated plasma levels of glucose to a level not significantly (P > 0.05) different from that of glibenclamide. The juice also significantly (P < 0.05) reduced the plasma lipid peroxidation and improved the lipid profile, as indicated by a significant (P < 0.05) reduction in the total cholesterol: HDL cholesterol ratio. However, there was a significant (P < 0.05) rise in the level of bicarbonate as result of the juice treatment from 28.15 ± 2.82 mmol/l in normal control to 60.83 ± 17.46 mmol/l in diabetic control and to 122.20 ± 34.68 mmol/l, 120.95 ± 35.09 mmol/l and 115.85 ± 11.79 mmol/l in 25%, 50% and 75% juice, respectively.Conclusion:Therefore, this inability of A. gangetica to prevent acidosis detracts from the potential of its usefulness in managing diabetes.

Preclinical immunohistochemical biomarkers for testicular changes in hyperlipidemic rats and the role of Ocimum gratissimum

“…All these components are known to reduce serum lipid level in animals [33]. Saponins may lower cholesterol by binding with cholesterol in the intestinal lumen, preventing its absorption, and by binding with bile acids, causing reduction in the enterohepatic circulation of bile acids and increase in its fecal excretion [34]. The increased bile acid excretion is offset by enhanced bile acid synthesis from cholesterol in the liver and consequent lowering of plasma cholesterol [35].…”

Effects of Prolonged Administration of Aqueous Extract of &lt;i&gt;Ocimum gratissimum&lt;/i&gt; (Scent Leaf) on Blood Glucose and Lipid Profile in Alloxan Induced Diabetic Albino Rats

“…All these components are known to reduce serum lipid level in animals [5]. Saponins may lower cholesterol by binding with cholesterol in the intestinal lumen, preventing its absorption, and/or by binding with bile acids, causing a reduction in the enterohepatic circulation of bile acids and increase in its faecal excretion [19]. The increased bile acid excretion is offset by enhanced bile acid synthesis from cholesterol in the liver and consequent lowering of the plasma cholesterol.…”

Hypoglycemic properties of ethanolic extracts of Gongronema latifolium, Aloe perryi, Viscum album and Allium sativum administered to alloxan-induced diabetic albino rats (Rattus norvegicus)

“…[1,8] Alloxan-treated animals are widely used as models for IDDM studies. [1,3,[9][10][11][12][13] The reason for the high sensitivity of β-cells to alloxan is not clear, although there are speculations on the connection between alloxan sensitivity and the incidence of IDDM.…”

“…Recently, the applications of natural substances for the prevention, management and treatment of DM have been reported by several researchers and there are increasing search for herbal hypoglycemic agents. [12,13,24,25] In view of this, it has been considered pertinent to investigate the hypoglycemic properties of various extracts of G. latifolium, A. perryi, V. album and A. sativum in alloxan induced diabetic Rattus norvegicus.…”