ABSTRACT
Streptozotocin induces severe and irreversible hyperglycaemia in experimental animals. The effect of oral administration of D-400 (1 gm/kg/day), a herbomineral formulation on streptozotocin induced-diabetes was studied in rats. Liver glycogen content was assayed biochemically on 2,4 and 8 weeks after D-400 treatment. Superoxide dismutase(SOD) activity of pancreatic islet cells was assessed on 8th week of D-400 treatment. The microscopic structure of pancreas and liver were examined in both control and treated animals. D-400 treatment showed progressive and significant increase in liver glycogen at 2,4 and 8 weeks respectively. Streptozotocin induced a decrease in pancreatic islet cell superoxide dismutase which was reversed by D-400 treatment for a period of 8 weeks. The free radical scavenging activity of D-400 may be attributed to shilajeet, one of its important ingredient. Streptozotocin induced histopathological changes in pancreas and liver was also partially reversed by D-400. The findings indicate that D-400 helps in improving the glycogen stores in the liver and prevents the streptozotocin induced damage through free radicals by increasing the islet cell superoxide dismutase activity.
Subject(s)
Animals , Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental/drug therapy , Hypoglycemic Agents/pharmacology , Liver/metabolism , Liver Glycogen/metabolism , Male , Medicine, Ayurvedic , Pancreas/metabolism , Plant Extracts/pharmacology , Rats , Rats, Wistar , Superoxide Dismutase/metabolismABSTRACT
This study was undertaken to investigate D-400, a herbomineral formulation in streptozotocin induced diabetes in rats. Glycated haemoglobin, lipid profile and glucose tolerance test were studied. D-400 has an established hypoglycaemic effect in alloxan induced diabetes in rats as well as in non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus patients. D-400 treated group showed lower glycated haemoglobin, triglycerides and higher HDL levels. The hyperglycaemic response was blunted after administration of oral glucose in the same group.