Hypoglycemic Effect due to Insulin Stimulation with Plantago major in Wistar Rats

Abstract

Background: Diabetes mellitus (DM) refers to a group of common metabolic disorders that share the phenotype of hyperglycemia, which causes secondary pathophysiological changes in multiple organ systems. Several times the Plantaginaceae family have been reported as crude drugs with hypoglycemic effect mainly attributed to their high fiber content [5]. Objective: The current study was hypothesized to investigate the beneficial effects of methanol extract from the aerial part of Plantago major (Pm) on hyperglycemia-mediated oxidative stress and inflammatory responses Alloxan induced diabetes mellitus, and in normal rats.

Materials and methods: Experimental diabetes was induced by intraperitoneal injection of 100mg/kg body weight Alloxan. Normal and Diabetic rats were administered with distilled water, methanol extract of Plantago major and glibenclamide, and then, compared in Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT).

Results: Methanol extract of P. major was evaluated in OGTT in either normal or moderate or severe Alloxan induced diabetic rats (100 mg / kg -by intraperitoneal injection-). Oral administration of methanol extracts at doses of 500mg/kg body weight showed that the extract promotes glucose uptake in rats with the efficient insulin-secreting pancreas secreting pancreas (that have pancreatic cells capable of secreting insulin).

Conclusion: The present study demonstrates that Plantago major exerts antidiabetic activity by stimulating secretion of insulin and producing a hypoglycemic effect. These results suggest that the methanol extract from the entire Pm plant will be useful in the treatment of patients with impaired glucose tolerance.

Keywords: Glucose tolerance; Hypoglycemia effect; Insulin secretion; Plantago major.

Graph No.1.

Glucose Curve during an OGTT in Normal Rats groups. Con, Normal control rats received 0.9% saline; N+Pm, Normal rats treated with 500 mg / kg of Pm; N+Gb, Normal rats treated with Glibenclamide 5 mg / kg,

Graph No2

Glucose Curve During an OGTT in Experimental Diabetic Rats and Normal treated with Saline 0,9% groups. DbCon, Experimental Diabetic Control rats received 0.9% Saline; SevDb+Pm, Experimental Severe Diabetic rats treated with 500 mg / kg of Pm; ModDb+Pm, Experimental Moderate Diabetic treated with 500 mg / kg of Pm; Con, Normal control rats received 0.9% saline.

GraphNo3

Glucose Curve During an OGTT in Experimental Diabetic Rats and Normal treated with Saline 0,9% groups. Con, Normal control rats received 0.9% saline; N+Pm, Normal rats treated with 500 mg / kg of Pm; ModDb+Pm, Experimental Moderate Diabetic rats treated with 500 mg / kg of Pm