Antidiabetic effect of Sida cordata in alloxan induced diabetic rats

Abstract

Medicinal plants are efficient ameliorator of oxidative stress associated with diabetes mellitus. In this study, ethyl acetate fraction (SCEE) of Sida cordata was investigated for scientific validation of its folk use in diabetes. Antidiabetic effect of SCEE was confirmed by antihyperglycemic activity in normal glucose loaded and diabetic glucose loaded animals as well as normal off feed animals. Confirmation of antidiabetic activity and toxicity ameliorative role of S. cordata was investigated in a chronic multiple dose treatment study of fifteen days. A single dose of alloxan (120 mg/kg) produced a decrease in insulin level, hyperglycemia, elevated total lipids, triglycerides, and cholesterol and decreased the high-density lipoproteins. Concurrent with these changes, there was an increase in the concentration of lipid peroxidation (TBARS), H2O2, and nitrite in pancreas, liver, and testis. This oxidative stress was related to a decrease in glutathione content (GSH) and antioxidant enzymes. Administration of SCEE for 15 days after diabetes induction ameliorated hyperglycemia, restored lipid profile, blunted the increase in TBARS, H2O2, and nitrite content, and stimulated the GSH production in the organs of alloxan-treated rats. We suggested that SCEE could be used as antidiabetic component in case of diabetes mellitus. This may be related to its antioxidative properties.

Figure 1

Microphotographs of liver histology of different groups after treatments of SCEE (H&E staining, 40x). CV: central venule, HPC: hepatocytes, S: sinosides, DLS: degeneration of lobular shape, FC: fatty change, CI: inflammatory cells infiltration, C: congestion, SW: sinusoids widening, and SCEE: S. cordata ethyl acetate fraction.

Figure 2

Microphotographs of pancreas histology of different groups after treatments of SCEE (H&E staining, 40x). IL: islet of Langerhans, AC: acinar cells, MLD: mild Langerhans disruption, AD: acinar disintegration, LD: Langerhans disruption, ACS: acinar cells steatosis, IC: inflammatory cells, and SCEE: S. cordata ethyl acetate fraction.

Figure 3

Microphotographs of testes histology of different groups after treatments of SCEE (H&E staining, 10x and 40x). L: lumen, IS: interstitium, SE: seminiferous epithelium, VSE: vacuolated seminiferous epithelium, DBM: disrupted basement membrane, SEB: seminiferous epithelium and basement membrane space, DST: displaced seminiferous tubules, and SCEE: S. cordata ethyl acetate fraction.

Figure 4

Effect of different treatments of SCEE on testosterone level in alloxan induced diabetic animals. 1: normal control, 2: diabetic + glibenclamide, 3: diabetic control, 4: diabetic + SCEE 150 mg/kg b.w., and 5: diabetic + SCEE 300 mg/kg b.w. ∗ and # indicate significant difference (P < 0.05) of different groups in comparison to normal control group and diabetic control group, respectively.