Efficacy of Cyanotis tuberosa (Roxb.) Schult. &Schult. f. root tubers' active fraction as anti-diabetic, antihyperlipidemic and antioxidant in Streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Cyanotis tuberosa (Roxb.) Schult. &Schult.f. is traditionally used as ethnomedicine for curing several ailments like diabetes, liver problems, ulcers, etc. OBJECTIVE: The present study was designed to evaluate the anti-diabetic potential of Cyanotis tuberosa root tubers (CTRT)in Streptozotocin (STZ) induced diabetic rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Anti-hyperglycemic activity of hexane extract of CTRT was investigated in diabetic rats. Silica gel chromatography was used to fractionate the hexane extract and the fraction's antihyperglycemic activity was checked in diabetic rats. Effects of long-term (30 days) treatment with an active fraction (CTAF) were evaluated in diabetic rats for 30 days by measurement of body weights, glycemic control, insulin levels, HbA1c, and serum and tissue lipid profiles. Lipid peroxide levels and antioxidant status were measured in the liver and kidney. Hepatic and Renal functional markers were also measured. Phytochemical characterization of CTAF was carried out by LC-ESI-MS/MS analysis. RESULTS: Hexane extract of CTRT at a dose of 750 mg/kg b.w produced significant antihyperglycemic activity in diabetic rats whereas CTAF has produced maximum antihyperglycemic activity at the dose of 75 mg/kg b.w. Following long-term treatment with CTAF in diabetic rats, significant improvement in glycemic control, (HbA1c) along with decreased insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), increase in body weights, and plasma insulin were observed. Also, CTAF ameliorated the serum and tissue lipid profiles. In addition, CTAF suppressed lipid peroxidation and restored the activities of antioxidant enzymes in the liver and kidney to normal levels. Further, CTAF reversed the liver and kidney functional markers to normalcy. LC-ESI-MS/MS analysis revealed the presence of 7 different phytoconstituents. CONCLUSION: This study confirmed that CTAF exerts antidiabetic effects in diabetic rats by improving insulin secretion, glycemic control, and restoring functional activities of the liver and kidney. Our results suggest that root tubers of Cyanotis tuberosa can be used as a complementary or alternative agent for the treatment of diabetes mellitus.

Antihyperglycemic and hypolipidemic activities of Setaria italica seeds in STZ diabetic rats.

BACKGROUND: Setaria italica is commonly known as Foxtail millet. In India it is chiefly cultivated in Andhra Pradesh and Tamilnadu. It can be eaten as a sweet or savory food in all ways that rice is used. Due to the presence of high fiber content, it is suggested as a food for diabetic patients in India. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the antihyperglycemic and hypolipidemic potential of S. italica seeds in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats. METHODS: Anti hyperglycemic activity of different doses of S. italica seed aqueous extract (SISAE) was evaluated by oral administration of SISAE in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats and it was compared with that of Glibeclamide, a standard oral hypoglycemic agent. The effect of long-term treatment with 300mgofSISAE/kgb.w./day on blood glucose, glycemic control and serum lipids was evaluated in normal and diabetic rats. RESULTS: The dose of 300mg of SISAE/kgb.w. produced a significant fall (70%) in blood glucose in diabetic rats after 6h of administration of the extract. None of the doses of the SISAE could produce any change in blood glucose levels of normal rats. After 30 days of treatment with 300mgofSISAE/kgb.w./day there was a significant decrease in fasting blood glucose associated with a significant improvement in glycemic control as evidenced by lower levels of HbA1c in diabetic treated rats when compared to those in untreated diabetic rats The aqueous extract also exhibited significant hypolipidemic effect which is evident from lower levels of triglycerides, total, LDL and VLDL cholesterol and increase in the levels of HDL cholesterol in diabetic treated rats compared to those in diabetic untreated rats. The antihyperglycemic and hypolipidemic activities of the aqueous extract could be due to the presence of alkaloids or glycosides as active principles. CONCLUSION: These findings demonstrate that the aqueous extract of S. italica seeds have excellent antihyperglycemic and hypolipidemic activities and thus have great potential as a source for natural health products.