Antidiabetic, Antihyperlipidemic and Antioxidant...
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BMR Phytomedicine
Research Article
Antidiabetic, Antihyperlipidemic and Antioxidant Activities of Aqueous and Ethanol Extracts of Leaves of Trewia Nudiflora Linn in Alloxan Induced Diabetic Rats
Pallavi Tiwari*1, N Balakrishnan2, Mayank Srivastava1, Saurav Ghoshal 1,
1Shambhunath Institute of Pharmacy, Jhalwa, Allahabad (U.P.)
2S.A. Raja Pharmacy College, Vadakkagulam.
Correspondence should be addressed to Pallavi Tiwari
Received 15 September 2014; Accepted 25 September 2014; Published 10 October 2014 Copyright: © 2014 Pallavi Tiwari et al. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Keywords: Trewia nudiflora, Antihyperlipidemic, Antidiabetic, Antioxidant.
Introduction
Type 2 diabetes mellitus affected individuals more
prone with cardiovascular diseases risk rather than
individuals not affected with type 2 diabetes
mellitus.[1] Diabetes also causes risk of blood
pressure and LDL- cholesterol level. Globally
diabetes has spread more frequently due to modern
lifestyle and it also can be linked to an obesity and
sedentary population.[2] Diabetes, an endocrine
based disease have many complications as
hyperglycemia, hyperlipidemia, vascular
complications, such as atherosclerosis, diabetic
BioMed Research
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Year: 2014; Volume: 1; Issue: 2
Article ID: PM14 10; Pages: 1-11
Abstract
The aim of this study was to investigate the antidiabetic, antihyperlipidemic and antioxidant activities of
aqueous and ethanol extracts of leaves of Trewia nudiflora in alloxan (ALX) induced diabetic rats. Diabetes
was confirmed after 5 days of single intraperitoneal injection of ALX (140 mg/kg) in albino Wister rats.
Aqueous and ethanol extracts of leaves of Trewia nudiflora (100 and 200 mg/kg) and glibenclamide (10
mg/kg, p.o.) orally administered daily for 15 days, blood was withdrawn for glucose determination on 0, 1,
10 and 15 days respectively. On the 15th day, overnight fasted rats were sacrificed and blood was collected
for the determination of high density lipoproteins cholesterol (HDL-C), low density lipoprotein cholesterol
(LDL-C), very low density lipoprotein cholesterol (VLDL-C), total cholesterol (TC), total glycerides (TG) and
total proteins (TP). Aqueous and ethanol extracts of leaves of Trewia nudiflora at doses of 100 and 200
mg/kg showed significant reduction is blood glucose, lipid when compared to diabetic control group. In
vitro DPPH radical scavenging activity of aqueous and ethanol extracts of leaves of Trewia nudiflora was
also studied. We concluded that aqueous and ethanol extracts of leaves of Trewia nudiflora possess
antidiabetic, antihyperlipidemic and antioxidant activities.
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nephropathy and neuropathy.[3] The accelerated
atherosclerosis and cardiovascular diseases in
diabetes is likely to be multifactorial and therefore
several therapeutic approaches can be considered
[4] which also stimulating the search for new
concepts and targets for the treatment of this
incurable disease.
Alloxan (2, 4, 5, 6-pyrimidinetetrone) is an
oxygenated pyrimidine derivative and toxic glucose
analogue. It is present as alloxan hydrate in
aqueous solution.[5] The action of alloxan in the
pancreas is preceded by its rapid uptake by the
insulin-secreting β cells[6] and also due to
autoimmune destruction of the β cells of the
pancreas[7], when administered intravenously,
intraperitoneal or subcutaneously to rodents and
many other animal species.
Green plants are the source of many secondary
metabolites, which are commercially important and
find use in a number of pharmaceutical compound.
Trewia nudiflora Linn. (Euphorbiaceae) commonly
known as gutel is a small sized tree grows up to 5
meters in height. Leaves simple, Cordate,
acuminate, both surface pubescent and long
petiolate. Flowers arise from axilla or from terminal
spikes.[8] Fruits hard, greenish yellow pods, which
is staple food of Indian Rhinoceros. Trewia nudiflora
Linn. (Euphorbiaceae) distributed in Madhya
Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh and
Maharashtra. It’s root contains resinous matter and
fat. Decoction of root is used as stomachic and
alterative in flatulence, gout, rheumatism and
malignancy especially leukemia and hepato- biliary
affections etc.[9] A decoction of shoots and leaves
of Trewia nudiflora is used as traditional medicine
to relieve swelling and to treat flatulence, excessive
bile and sputum. The leaves are applied on wounds
to heal them with good efficiency.[10] On the basis
of literature review and tribal information gathered
from Kerakat, Jaunpur, Uttar Pradesh that the plant
Trewia nudiflora (Gutel) have reported the use of
the leaves for the management of diabetes mellitus.
However, there is no scientific evidence to support
this claim. Hence, the objective of this study was to
ascertain the scientific basis for the use of Trewia
nudiflora Linn. (Euphorbiaceae) in the management
of diabetes using alloxan induced diabetic rats.
Materials and Methods
Collection of plant material and extraction
The leaves of Trewia nudiflora were collected from
the local area of Kerakat, Jaunpur District, Uttar
Pradesh, India in the month of November 2012 and
authenticated at Department of Botany, Safia
College, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh. The voucher
specimen (436/Bot/Saifia/13) has been preserved
in our laboratory for further collection and
reference.
The leaves was dried under shade, powdered with a
mechanical grinder and passed through a 40-mesh
sieve. The successive solvent cold extraction
method used to obtain various extracts including
petroleum ether, chloroform, ethyl acetate, ethanol
and aqueous extracts. The solvents were removed
from the extracts under reduced pressure by using
a rotary vacuum evaporator (Buchi model, Jyoti
Lab, Gwalior, India). The percentage yield of
extracts was noted. The greenish brown extract was
obtained and is dissolved in their respective
solvents for pharmacological studies.
Preliminary phytochemical screening
The aqueous and ethanol extract of Trewia
nudiflora Linn. was screened for the presence of
various phytoconstituents like steroids, alkaloids,
glycosides, flavonoids, carbohydrates, amino acids,
proteins and phenolic compounds. [11,12]
Animals
Healthy, adult Albino Wistar rats (180-200gm) of
either sex were purchased from the National Center
for Laboratory Animal sciences, Hyderabad used for
study. Housed individually in polypropylene cages,
maintained under standard conditions (12 h light;
and 12 h dark cycle; 23±2о C, 50± 5%, relative
humidity), they were fed with standard rat pellet
diet (Hindustan Lever Ltd; Mumbai, India) and were
ad libitum. The Institutional Animal Ethics
Committee (TIT/IAEC/831/P’Col/2013/17)
approved the study.
Acute toxicity study
The acute oral toxicity study has to be carried out as
per the guidelines set by OECD, revised draft
guidelines 423, received from CPCSEA, ministry of
social justice and empowerment, Govt. of India. [13]
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The animals are randomly selected, marked to
permit individual identification, and kept in their
cages for at least 5 days prior to dosing to allow for
acclimatization to the laboratory conditions. The
test substance is administered in a single dose by
gavage using a stomach tube or a suitable
intubation canula. In the unusual circumstance that
a single dose is not possible, the dose may be given
in smaller fractions over a period not exceeding 24
hours.
Three animals are used for each step. The dose level
to be used as the starting dose is selected from one
of four fixed levels, 5, 50, 300 and 2000 mg/kg body
weight. The starting dose level should be that which
is most likely to produce mortality in some of the
dosed animals.
Induction of diabetes
The animals were fasted for 12 h prior to the
induction of diabetes.[14] ALX freshly prepared in
0.5% Tween 80 was administered intraperitoneally
(i.p.) at single dose of 140 mg/kg. Development of
diabetes was confirmed by measuring blood
glucose concentration 5 days after the
administration of Alloxan. Rats with blood glucose
level of above 200 mg/dl were considered to be
diabetic and used for the studies.
Experimental design
The rats were randomized into seven groups
comprising of six animals in each groups as given
below. Solvent/ aqueous and ethanol extracts (100
and 200 mg/kg)/ glibenclamide (GLB) was
administered orally using an intra-gastric tube once
daily for 15 days.
Group I: normal control rats were given
0.5%Tween 80 for 15 days.
Group II: Diabetic controls have been given
0.5%Tween 80 for 15 days, 5 days after alloxan
(140mg/kg, i.p.) treatment.
Group III: Rats have been given Glibenclamide
(10mg/kg/day, p.o.) for 15 days, 5 days after
alloxan (140mg/kg, i.p.) treatment.
Group IV: Test rats have been given ethanol extract
of Trewia nudiflora (100mg/kg, p.o.) for 15 days, 5
days after alloxan (140mg/kg, i.p.) treatment.
Group V: Test rats have been given ethanol extract
of Trewia nudiflora (200mg/kg, p.o.) for 15 days, 5
days after alloxan (140mg/kg, i.p.) treatment.
Group VI: Test rats have been given aqueous
extract of Trewia nudiflora (100mg/kg, p.o.) for 15
days, 5 days after alloxan (140mg/kg, i.p.)
treatment.
Group VII: Test rats have been given aqueous
extract of Trewia nudiflora (200mg/kg, p.o.) for 15
days, 5 days after alloxan (140mg/kg, i.p.)
treatment.
Blood samples were collected from retro-orbital
plexus of each rat under mild anesthesia at 0, 1, 2
and 3 h after solvent/ethanol and aqueous extracts
of leaves of Trewia nudiflora (100 and 200 mg/kg)/
glibenclamide administration and serum glucose
was estimated by enzymatic glucose oxidase
method. Percent reduction in serum glucose was
calculated with respect to the initial level. Five days
before the termination of the experiment, the oral
glucose tolerance test (OGTT) was performed to
assess the glucose tolerance. For this purpose,
overnight fasted rats were fed glucose (2 g/kg)
orally and blood was collected at 0, 30, 60 and 120
min interval from orbital sinus for glucose
estimation. On 15th day of the study, blood samples
were collected for biochemical estimations. Later
animals were sacrificed and liver was removed,
cleaned and washed in ice-cold normal saline for
biochemical study.
Biochemical analysis
Serum total cholesterol [15], total glycerides [16],
LDL-c, VLDL-c [17] and HDL-c [18] were estimated
using standard enzymatic kits (ERBA diagnostic
Mannheim GMBH, Germany) spectrometrically.
Total protein was estimated by using bovine serum
albumin as a standard. [19]
Determination of DPPH radical scavenging
activity
The free radical scavenging activity of ethanol and
aqueous extracts of leaves of Trewia nudiflora and
ascorbic acid were measured in terms of hydrogen
donating or radical scavenging ability using the
stable radical DPPH.[20] DPPH solution (0.1 mM) in
ethanol was prepared and 1 mL of this solution was
added to 3 mL of extract solution in water at
different concentrations (100-1000 μg mL-1). After
35 min, the absorbance was measured at 517 nm.
Lower absorbance of the reaction mixture indicated
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higher free radical scavenging activity. The
capability to scavenge the DPPH radical was
calculated using the following equation:
DPPH scavenged(%) = Aconst - Atest × 100 / Aconst
where, Acont is the absorbance of the control
reaction and Atest is the absorbance in the presence
of the sample of the extracts.
Statistical analysis: The amount of extracts needed
to inhibit free radicals concentration by 50% (IC50)
was graphically estimated using linear regression
lines.[20]
Histopathological studies:
The histopathology study of pancreas was also
performed which showed hypoglycemic effect.[21]
Statistical analysis
1. Antioxidant activity: The amount of
extracts needed to inhibit free radicals
concentration by 50% (IC50) was graphically
estimated using linear regression lines.
2. Oral glucose tolerance test: The data
was represented as mean ± SEM. Results was
analyzed by one way ANOVA followed by Dunnett’s
multiple comparison tests using Graph pad in stat
3.0 software.
3. Anti-diabetic activity: The data was
represented as mean ± SEM. Results was analyzed
by one way ANOVA followed by Dunnett’s multiple
comparison tests using Graph pad in stat 3.0
software.Results were expressed as the mean ±
S.E.M. for statistical analysis of the data group
means, were compared by one-way analysis of
variance (ANOVA) followed by Tukey’s post-test for
multiple comparisons. p < 0.01 was considered to
be statistically significant.
Results
Preliminary study was performed on the aqueous
and ethanol extracts of the leaves of Trewia
nudiflora and the presence of various
phytoconstituents such as alkaloids, glycosides,
flavonoids, steroids, fixed oils, Phenolics and
tannins were determined.
In-vitro antioxidant activity
Table 1 results revealed that the investigated
aqueous and ethanol extracts of leaves of Trewia
nudiflora presented that the DPPH free radical
scavenging activity and IC50 value of ethanol and
aqueous extracts of leaves were found to be 581.80
and 714.29 μg/ml. The IC50 value of ascorbic acid
was found to be 537.63 μg/ml.
Oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT)
Table 2 shows the effect of doses of ethanol and
aqueous extract of leaves of Trewia nudiflora on
diabetic rats. After 120 min of glucose
administration the fall observed with the ethanol
extract of dose of 100mg/kg and of 200mg/kg
simultaneously, the fall has also been observed in
aqueous extract of dose of 100mg/kg and of
200mg/kg that is compared with the standard drug
Glibenclamide in diabetic rats.
Antidiabetic effect of aqueous and ethanol
extracts of leaves of Trewia nudiflora
Table 3 shows the anti-hyperglycemic effect of
ethanol and aqueous extracts of leaves of Trewia
nudiflora at doses of 100 and 200mg/kg. It has been
noted that the effect of treatment of the extracts
shows significant reduction on blood glucose levels
of diabetic rats, on first day it was found to be
130.83±0.6009 and on 15th day it was found to be
94.5 ± 0.2236, whereas the standard drug
glibenclamide shows the anti-hyperglycemic effect
as on 1st day and on 15th day was found to be 135 ±
0.7303 and 85.5 ± 0.5627 respectively.
Antihyperlipidemic effect of aqueous and
ethanol extracts of leaves of Trewia nudiflora
Table 4 shows the effect of extracts on serum lipid
profile, in diabetic rats, a decrease in the serum
triglycerides, total cholesterol, LDL (low density
lipids) and VLDL (very low density lipids) levels,
and an increase in the HDL (high density lipids)
cholesterol levels were observed. Alloxan treatment
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resulted in elevation of TG, TC, VLDL-C, LDL-C, and
reduction of HDL-C levels as compared to the
normal control rats. Aqueous and ethanol extracts
of leaves of Trewia nudiflora (100 and 200 mg/kg)
and GLB (10 mg/kg) reduction in elevated serum
TG, TC, VLDL-c, LDL-c, TC/HDL-c and LDL-c/HDL-c
and HDL-c level was restored respectively when
compared to diabetic control.
Histopathological Study
The histopathology study of pancreas was also
performed which showed hypoglycemic effect.
Table: 1 IC50 values of ethanol and aqueous extracts of leaves of Trewia nudiflora along with the standard
ascorbic acid
Fig 1 The reducing power of ethanol and aqueous extracts of leaves of Trewia nudiflora compared with that
of ascorbic acid
0
0.1
0.2
0.3
0.4
0.5
0.6
0.7
0.8
0.9
0 200 400 600 800 1000 1200
DP
PH
Ass
ayA
bso
rpti
on
Concentration
In-vitro antioxidant activity
Ascorbic acid
Ethanol leaves
Aqueous leaves
S.No. Test sample IC50
1 Ascorbic acid 537.63
2 Ethanol leaves 581.36
3 Aqueous leaves 714.29
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Fig 2 The percentage inhibition of ethanol and aqueous extracts of leaves of Trewia nudiflora compared
with that of ascorbic acid
Table 2 Effect of ethanol and aqueous extract of leaves of Trewia nudiflora on OGTT of diabetic rats
Values are expressed as mean ± SEM for (n=6) rats in each group, when compared
to control **p<0.01, *p<0.05 and ns
p>0.05.
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
0 200 400 600 800 1000 1200
DP
PH
Ass
ayP
erc
en
tage
inh
ibit
ion
Concentration
In-vitro antioxidant activity
Ascorbic acid
Ethanol leaves
aqueous leaves
Groups Treatment /
mg/kg
Blood glucose levels (mg/dl)
0 min 30 min 60 min 120 min
I Normal control 80.83 ±
0.4773**
81.5 ±
0.6191**
81.5 ±
0.4282**
81.67 ±
0.4216**
II Glibenclamide,
10 mg/kg
89.66 ±
0.4944**
144 ±
1.0650**
167.83 ±
1.990**
128.83 ±
1.7780**
III Control, 0.5%
Tween 80
126.5 ±
0.7638
154 ±
0.5774
179.83 ±
0.6009
137.67 ±
0.3333
IV Ethanol extract
100 mg/kg
113.5 ±
0.7638**
151.5 ±
0.7638**
176.17 ±
0.7923**
125 ±
1.483**
V Ethanol extract 200 mg/kg
103.67 ± 0.6667**
160.83 ± 0.4773
ns
189.67 ± 0.3333*
125.5 ± 0.7638**
VI Aqueous extract
100 mg/kg
111.17 ±
0.6009**
154 ±
0.9661**
186.67 ±
0.3333ns
136.17 ±
0.9458**
VII Aqueous extract 200 mg/kg
104 ± 0.3651**
145.83 ± 1.0780
ns
181 ± 0.5774**
127.33 ± 1.667
ns
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Table 3 Effect of ethanol and aqueous extracts of leaves of Trewia nudiflora on blood glucose level in alloxan induced
diabetic rats
Values are expressed as mean ± SEM for (n=6) rats in each group, when compared to control **p<0.01 and ns p>0.05.
Table 4 Effect of ethanol and aqueous extracts of leaves of Trewia nudiflora on lipid profiles and total proteins in diabetic
rats
Values are expressed as mean ± SEM for (n=6) rats in each group, when compared to control **p<0.01 and ns
p>0.05.
Grou
p
Treatment /
Dose
Blood glucose level (mg/dl)
0 day 1st day 10
th day 15
th day
I Normal control 82.33 ±
1.358**
80 ±
1.238**
80.17 ±
0.4773**
79.5 ±
1.118**
II Glibenclamide
10 mg/kg
134 ±
0.7303**
135 ±
0.7303**
89.33 ±
0.4944**
85.5 ±
0.5627**
III Control 0.5%
Tween 80
124 ±
0.3651
125.17 ±
0.3073
125.67 ±
0.8028
125.17 ±
0.4014
IV Ethanol extract
100 mg/kg
125.33 ±
0.8819ns
126 ±
1.414**
113.5 ±
0.7638 **
95.5 ±
0.2236**
V Ethanol extract
200 mg/kg
130.83 ±
0.6009**
134 ±
0.3651**
103.83 ±
0.6009**
92.5 ±
0.2236**
VI Aqueous extract
100 mg/kg
133.83 ±
0.7923**
130.83 ±
0.9458**
111.33 ±
0.6667**
97 ±
0.3651**
VII Aqueous extract
200 mg/kg
140.5 ±
0.5627**
137.17 ±
0.4014**
113.67 ±
0.4944**
94.5 ±
0.2236**
Groups
Biochemical parameters (mg/dl)
TC HDL-C LDL-C VLDL-C TG Total
protein
Albumin
Normal control 118.5 ±
0.2236**
44.5 ±
0.2236**
48.5 ±
0.2236*
24.5 ±
0.2236**
121.5 ±
0.2236**
6.245 ±
0.0022**
3.335 ±
0.0022**
Glibenclamide 10
mg/kg
122.5 ±
0.2236**
46.5 ±
0.2236**
46.5 ±
0.2236**
20.5 ±
0.2236**
145.5 ±
0.2236**
6.45 ±
0.0224**
3.35 ±
0.0224**
Diabetic Control 140.5 ±
0.2236
41.5 ±
0.2236
66.5 ±
0.2236
32.5 ±
0.2236
157.5 ±
0.2236
5.65 ±
0.0224
5.25 ±
0.0224
Ethanol extract
100 mg/kg
120.5 ± 0.2236**
43.5 ± 0.2236**
45.5 ± 0.2236**
28.5 ± 0.2236**
144.5 ± 0.2236**
6.205 ± 0.0022**
3.345 ± 0.0024**
Ethanol extract
200 mg/kg
115.5 ±
0.2236**
45 ±
0.4472**
48.5 ±
0.2236**
30.35 ±
0.02236**
148.5 ±
0.2236**
6.75 ±
0.0224**
3.315 ±
0.0024**
Aqueous extract
100 mg/kg
125.5 ± 0.2236**
41.5 ± 0.2236ns
44.5 ± 0.2236**
24.25 ± 0.02236**
120.5 ± 0.2236**
6.65 ± 0.0224**
3.65 ± 0.0224**
Aqueous extract
200 mg/kg
117.5 ±
0.2236**
43.5 ±
0.2236**
50.5 ±
0.2236**
22.5 ±
0.2236**
115.5 ±
0.2236**
6.45 ±
0.0224**
2.75 ±
0.0224**
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Histopathological studies
Fig 3 Shows normal acini, and Fig 4 Shows the lobule with
normal Cellular population in the regenerated islets in Glibenclamide
islet of Langerhans in pancreas of (10mg/kg/day, p.o.) treated rats
vehicle treated rats (normal control
rats)
Fig 5 Shows extensive damage to Fig 6 Restoration of normal cellular
the islet of Langerhans and reduced population size of islet with hyper-
dimensions of islet in diabetic control plasia by Trewia nudiflora ethanol
rats (toxic control rats) extract 200 mg/kg
Fig 7 Partial restoration of normal Fig 8 Restoration of normal cellular
cellular population and enlarged population size of islets with
size of β cells with hyperplasia by hyperplasia by Trewia nudiflora
Trewia nudiflora ethanol extract aqueous extract 200 mg/kg
100 mg/kg.
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Fig 9 Partial restoration of normal
cellular population an enlarged size
of β cells with hyperplasia by
Trewia nudiflora aqueous extract
100 mg/kg.
Discussion
Phytochemical studies have revealed the presence
of several phytochemicals including alkaloids,
glycosides, flavonoids, steroids, phenolic
compounds and tannins. The percentage yield of
aqueous and ethanol extracts of leaves of Trewia
nudiflora were found to be more than the other
extracts. Polyphenol are the major plant
compounds with high level of antioxidant activity
due to their ability to absorb, neutralize and to
quench free radicals as well as their redox
properties presence of conjugated ring structures
and carboxylic group which have been reported to
inhibit lipid peroxidation. Results obtained in the
present study revealed that the levels of these
phenolic compounds in the aqueous and ethanol
extracts of leaves of Trewia nudiflora were
considerable.
DPPH is frequently used to determine radical
scavenging activity of natural compounds and its
radical form absorbs at 517 nm due to the
antioxidant activity, the absorption decreases may
be the formation of its non radical form such as
DPPH–H. Hence, the radical scavenging activity in
the presence of a hydrogen donating antioxidant
can be monitored as a decrease in absorbance of
DPPH solution. The DPPH free radical scavenging
activity of the ethanol and aqueous extracts of
leaves of Trewia nudiflora and ascorbic acid showed
at different concentrations. The investigated
extracts demonstrated that the DPPH free radical
scavenging activity and IC50 value of ethanol and
aqueous extracts of leaves were found to be 581.80
and 714.29 μg/ml, respectively. The IC50 value of
ascorbic acid was found to be 537.63 μg/ml.
The diabetogenic agent Alloxan is a hydrophilic and
chemically unstable pyrimidine derivative which is
toxic to pancreatic β-cells because it can generate
toxic free oxygen radicals during redox cycling in
the presence of reducing agents such as glutathione
and cysteine. The increase in oxygen free radicals in
diabetes could be due to increase in blood glucose
levels, which generates free radicals due to auto
oxidation. In the present work, involvement of free
radicals in progression of disease and protective
effects of Trewia nudiflora has been examined.
Administration of ethanol and aqueous extracts of
Trewia nudiflora for 15 days showed significant
antidiabetic, antihyperlipidemic and antioxidant
activities in Alloxan induced diabetic rats.
Hyperlipidemia is one of the major cardiovascular
risk factors. It has been demonstrated that insulin
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deficiency in diabetes mellitus leads to a variety of
derangements in metabolic and regulatory
processes, which in turns leads to accumulation of
lipids such as Total Glycerides and total cholesterol
in diabetic patient, diabetes mellitus alters the
normal metabolism of cholesterol and triglycerides
showed an increase in alloxan induced diabetic rats.
Under normal conditions, the enzyme lipoprotein
lipase hydrolyses triglycerides. Diabetes mellitus
results in failure to activate this enzyme thereby
causing hypertriglyceridemia. Our data showed in
line with notion as the Alloxan (140mg/kg, i.p.)
treated diabetic rats exhibited clear cut
abnormalities in lipid metabolism as evidenced
from the significant elevation of serum TG, TC, LDL-
C, VLDL-C and reduction of HDL-C levels. Treatment
with ethanol and aqueous extracts of Trewia
nudiflora for 15 days was sufficient to produce a
significant reduction in the TG, TC, LDL-C, VLDL-C
and significant increase in HDL-C levels in diabetic
rats. These results indicate that ethanol and
aqueous extracts of Trewia nudiflora has a lipid
lowering effect on the diabetic rats.
The findings of the present study shows a number
of positive effects of Trewia nudiflora on rats with
Alloxan induced disturbances in glucose tolerance
and lipoprotein profile. Thus, ethanol and aqueous
extracts of leaves of Trewia nudiflora is beneficial in
the control of diabetes and abnormalities in lipid
profiles. These beneficial effects of Trewia nudiflora
are specially promising in the light of preventing
lifestyle disease of the cardiovascular systems.
The histopathology study of pancreas was also
performed which showed hypoglycemic effect. The
study reveals that in glucose-fed rats, the maximum
hypoglycemic effect was produced within one hour
during glucose tolerance test, this indicates that it
takes about one hour for the active ingredient(s) or
its (their) metabolites in the ethanol and aqueous
extracts of leaves of Trewia nudiflora to enter into
the circulation and target tissues to bring about
hypoglycemic effect.
Acknowledgement
I am very much thankful to my guide Dr. N.
Balakrishnan and Technocrat Institute of
Technology [Pharmacy], Bhopal (M.P.) for
providing best lab facilities necessary for
completion of research project.
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