Antilipidemic and Hepatoprotective Effects of Ethanol Extract of Justicia spicigera in Streptozotocin Diabetic Rats

Abstract

Oxidative stress is a factor that contributes to the development of complications in diabetes; however, its effects can be counteracted using exogenous antioxidants that are found in some plants, which is why people turn to traditional medicines in the search for therapeutic treatment. Justicia spicigera has been demonstrated to have the capacity to reduce glycemic levels; however, its effects on non-insulin-dependent organs such as the liver have not been reported. During 30 days of administration of Justicia spicigera ethanol extract, the blood glucose and weight of rats were measured every 5 days. Once the treatment was concluded, the rats were sacrificed. Corporal weight, blood glucose, cholesterol, very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL), triglycerides, total lipids, and liver profile were reduced in the diabetic condition and normalized with the application of ethanol extract from J. spicigera (EJS). Additionally, there was a significant increase in catalase and superoxide dismutase activity in the control diabetic rats, a decrease in their activity with the extract administration, and no effect on normoglycemic rats. In conclusion, EJS is considered to be capable of reducing oxidative stress by maintaining diminished lipid and liver function profiles in male Wistar rats with streptozotocin-induced diabetes.

Keywords: Justicia spicigera; antioxidant; bioactive compounds; diabetes; liver; streptozotocin.

Figure 1

(A) Blood-glucose levels and (B) body weight during treatment with ethanolic extract of Justicia spicigera (100 mg/mL) for 30 days. Control (NC) and diabetic control (DC) groups were treated with DMSO; control administered (NE) and diabetic administered (DE) groups were treated with J. spicigera ethanol extract. Obtained values were analyzed by one-way ANOVA. Data represent mean ± SE (n = 5–8). Significant differences using Tukey’s multiple comparison test (p < 0.05) are indicated by different lowercase letters above each point; same letter indicates no significant differences.

Figure 2

(A) Alkaline phosphatase, (B) gamma glutamyl transpeptidase, (C) alanine aminotransferase, and (D) aspartate aminotransferase activity at the end of treatment with ethanolic extract of Justicia spicigera (100 mg/mL) for 30 days. Control (NC) and diabetic control (DC) groups were treated with DMSO; control administered (NE) and diabetic administered (DE) groups were treated with J. spicigera ethanol extract (100 mg/mL). Values were analyzed by one-way ANOVA. Data represent mean ± SE (n = 5–8). Significant differences using Tukey’s multiple comparison test (p < 0.05) are indicated by different lowercase letters above each point; same letter indicates no significant differences.

Figure 3

(A) Superoxide dismutase and (B) catalase activity from liver mitochondria and liver homogenate, respectively. Normoglycemic control group untreated (NC) and treated with J. spicigera ethanol extract (100 mg/mL) for 30 days (NE). DC, untreated diabetic group; DE, diabetic group treated with J. spicigera ethanol extract (100 mg/mL). Values were analyzed by one-way ANOVA. Results represent mean ± SE (n = 5–8). Significant differences using one-way ANOVA (p < 0.05) are indicated by different lowercase letters above each point; same letter indicates no significant differences.