Rhinacanthus nasutusImproves the Levels of Liver Carbohydrate, Protein, Glycogen, and Liver Markers in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rats

Abstract

The present study was designed to investigate the total carbohydrate, total protein, and glycogen levels in the liver and to measure functional liver markers such as aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) in streptozotocin-(STZ-) induced diabetic rats after treatment with methanolic extract ofRhinacanthus nasutus(R. nasutus). The methanolic extract ofR. nasutuswas orally administered at 200 mg/kg/day while glibenclamide was administered at 50 mg/kg/day. All animals were treated for 30 days before being sacrificed. The amounts of carbohydrate, glycogen, proteins, and liver markers (AST and ALT) were measured in the liver tissue of the experimental animals. The levels of carbohydrate, glycogen, and proteins were significantly reduced in the diabetic rats but were augmented considerably after 30 days ofR. nasutustreatment. The elevated AST and ALT levels in diabetic rats showed a significant decline after treatment withR. nasutusfor 30 days. These results show that the administration ofR. nasutusameliorates the altered levels of carbohydrate, glycogen, proteins, and AST and ALT observed in diabetic rats and indicate thatR. nasutusrestores overall metabolism and liver function in experimental diabetic rats. In conclusion, the outcomes of the present study support the traditional belief thatR. nasutuscould ameliorate the diabetic state.