Further Studies on Antioxidant Potential and Protection of Pancreaticβ-Cells byEmbelia ribesin Experimental Diabetes

Abstract

This study was designed to examine the antioxidant defense by ethanolic extract ofEmbelia ribeson streptozotocin-(40 mg/kg, intravenously, single-injection) induced diabetes in Wistar rats. Forty days of oral feeding the extract (100 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg) to diabetic rats resulted in significant(P<.01)decrease in blood glucose, blood glycosylated haemoglobin, serum lactate dehydrogenase, creatine kinase, and increase in blood glutathione levels as compared to pathogenic diabetic rats. Further, the extract also significantly(P<.01)decreased the pancreatic thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS) levels and significantly(P<.01)increased the superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione levels as compared to above levels in pancreatic tissue of pathogenic diabetic rats. The islets were shrunken in diabetic rats in comparison to normal rats. In the drug-treated diabetic rats, there was expansion of islets. The results of test drug were comparable to gliclazide (25 mg/kg, daily), a standard antihyperglycemic agent. The study concludes thatEmbelia ribesenhances the antioxidant defense against reactive oxygen species produced under hyperglycemic condition and this protectsβ-cells against loss, and exhibit antidiabetic property.