Antidiabetic, antihyperlipidemic and antioxidant activities of methanolic extract of Amaranthus viridis Linn in alloxan induced diabetic rats

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Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the antidiabetic, antihyperlipidemic and antioxidant activities of methanolic extract of whole plant of Amaranthus viridis (MEAV) 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. MEAV (200 and 400 mg/kg) and glibenclamide (10 mg/kg, p.o.) orally administered daily for 15 days, blood was withdrawn for glucose determination on 0, 1, 10 and 15 days respectively.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). For in vivo antioxidant activity of MEAV, liver tissues were homogenized and the assay of lipid peroxidation and was measured as Malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH), catalase (CAT) and total thiols (TT) were performed in control, ALX and MEAV treated rats. MEAV at doses of 200 and 400 mg/kg showed significant reduction is blood glucose, lipid profiles and significant improvement in MDA, GSH, CAT and TT when compared to diabetic control group. In vitro α-amylase inhibition activity of MEAV was also studied. We concluded that MEAV possess antidiabetic, antihyperlipidemic and antioxidant activities.

Introduction

The worldwide epidemic of type 2 diabetes (NIDDM) has been stimulating the search for new concepts and targets for the treatment of this incurable disease. Globally diabetes has shadowed the spread of modern lifestyle and it can be linked to an increase overweight and sedentary population (Vats et al., 2003). Hyperglycemia and hyperlipidemia are two important characters of diabetes mellitus, an endocrine based disease. Diabetic patients experience various vascular complications, such as atherosclerosis, diabetic nephropathy and neuropathy (Sheetz, 2002). It is now well established that the hyperlipidemia represents a major risk factor for the premature development of atherosclerosis and its cardiovascular complications (Goldstein et al., 1973, Kaur et al., 2002).

Alloxan (2,4,5,6-tetraoxypyrimidine; 5,6-dioxyruacil) has been commonly utilized as an animal model of diabetes. Alloxan exerts its diabetogenic actions when administered intravenously, intraperitoneal or subcutaneously. The action of alloxan in the pancreas is preceded by its rapid uptake by the insulin-secreting cells (β-cells) (Heikkila et al., 1976), and also due to autoimmune destruction of the β-cells of the pancreas (Atkinson and Maclaren, 1994).

Over the years, various medicinal plants and their extracts have been reported to be effective in the treatment of diabetes (Marles and Fransworth, 1995). Plants are rich sources of antidiabetic, antihyperlipedemic and antioxidant agents such as flavonoids, gallotannins, amino acids and other related polyphenols (Muruganandan et al., 2005, Miyake et al., 2006).

Amaranthus viridis L. (Amaranthaceae) commonly called as ‘Chilaka Thota-Kura’ in Telugu. A. viridis has been used in Indian traditional system and in Nepal to lesson labour pain and as antipyretic (Kirtikar and Basu, 1987, Mark and Turin, 2003). The Negritos of the Philippines apply the bruised leaves directly to eczema, psoriasis and rashes (Quisumbing, 1951). Other traditional uses are anti-inflammatory of the urinary tract, in venereal diseases, vermifuge, diuretic, antirheumatic, antiulcer, analgesic, antiemetic, laxative, improves appetite, antileprotic, respiratory problems, eye treatment and for asthma (Anonymous, 1988, Agra et al., 2007, De Fatima Agra et al., 2008, Kirtikar and Basu, 1987, Sher and Khan, 2006, Quershi et al., 2008, Dar, 2003, Arshad and Khan, 2000, Muhammad and Amusa, 2005). A novel antiproliferative, antifungal lectin, ribosome inactivating protein, β-carotene were isolated from A. viridis (Kaur et al., 2006, Kwon et al., 1997, Sena et al., 1998) and it possess antiviral activity (Obi et al., 2006). In the present study, we have evaluated the antidiabetic, antihyperlipedemic and antioxidant activities of methanol extract of whole plant of A. viridis linn.

Section snippets

Collection of plant material and extraction

The fresh plant of A. viridis was collected from Chickballapur and was authenticated by Prof. B.K. Venkatesh, Department of Botany, Government First grade College, Chickballapur (Karnataka). A voucher specimen (SKVCP 11) was deposited in college herbarium. The whole plant was shade dried and coarsely powdered. The coarse powder was subjected to extraction with methanol by soxhlet apparatus and extract was concentrated to dryness in vacuum. The greenish brown extract was obtained and is

Preliminary phytochemical screening

By preliminary phytochemical analysis of MEAV showed the presence of flavonoids, saponins, glycosides, terpenoids aminoacids, alkaloids, carbohydrates, phenolic compounds and proteins.

Antidiabetic effect of MEAV

Fig. 1 reveals that the effect of MEAV on blood glucose level of diabetic rats during single dose study. MEAV (200 and 400 mg/kg) and glibenclamide (10 mg/kg) were given orally to the different groups and showed significant (p < 0.001) percentage reduction in glycemia when initial value of same group.

Fig. 2 reveals

Discussion

Oxidative stress, altered lipid levels, and disturbances in glucose metabolism are important risk factors for diabetes, cardiovascular, oncologic and many other diseases. Diet undoubtedly plays a key role as chemopreventive agent against various diseases and optimizing the diet in both quality and quantity, has a preventive function. Fruit and vegetables are an invaluable source of many biologically active substances, including antioxidants. For this reason a diet rich in fruit and vegetable

Acknowledgments

The authors are thankful to Sri K.V. Naveen Kiran, Chairman, Sri K.V. College of Pharmacy, Chickballapur, Karnataka (India) for providing facilities to carry out the research work.

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