Protective Effect of Butanolic Fraction of Delphinium brunonianum on Fructose-Mediated Metabolic Alterations in Rats

Abstract

The present study was conducted with an intent to evaluate the protective effect of butanolic fraction of Delphinium brunonianum on fructose mediated metabolic abnormalities in rats. Rats in all groups except control group were fed on 10% fructose for 6 weeks; however, rats in the treated group also received butanolic fraction for the last 3 weeks, along with the fructose. Moreover, phytoconstituents present in butanolic fraction were analyzed using LC-MS. All doses of butanolic fraction profoundly reduce the fructose-induced blood pressure, sympathetic over-activity, and weight gain. Furthermore, butanolic fraction prominently reduces the glucose intolerance and hyperinsulinemia in fructose-fed rats. On treatment with butanolic fraction, oxidative enzymes and the functionality of the aorta was also restored. Phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of several active constituents including bergenin, scopolin, rutinoside, kaempferol, coumaric acid, apigenin, and gingerol. In conclusion, butanolic fraction of Delphinium brunonianum has the potential to prevent and recover the fructose-induced metabolic perturbations.

Keywords: LC-MS analysis; insulin resistance; metabolic syndrome; oxidative stress; sympathetic over-activity.

Figure 1

DB-B-mediated fall in blood pressure of fructose-fed hypertensive rats: (A) SBP (systolic blood pressure), (B) DBP (diastolic blood pressure), (C) MAP (mean arterial pressure). Results are expressed as mean ± SEM (n = 5). One-way analysis of variance was applied. *** = p < 0.001 when compared with the control group, whereas a = p < 0.001 and b = p < 0.01 in relation to the fructose (10%) group.

Figure 2

DB-B-evoked decrease in sympathetic activity in fructose hypertensive rats. All results were analyzed statistically using two-way ANOVA followed by the Bonferrani test using GraphPad Prism. Data is presented as mean ± SEM and *** p < 0.001 in relation to the control group, whereas a = p < 0.001 in comparison with the fructose-treated group.

Figure 3

Butanolic fraction of D. brunonianum caused a decrease in the body weight of fructose hypertensive anesthetized rats. Data was analyzed statistically using two-way ANOVA followed by the Bonferrani test. Results are presented as mean ± SEM (n = 5) where *** = p < 0.001 compared with the control, while a = p < 0.001 and c = p < 0.05 compared with fructose (10%).

Figure 4

Amelioration of fructose-linked metabolic disturbances by oral administration of DB-B: (A) alteration in lipid profile, (B) decrease in level of uric acid, (C) level of urea, (D) decrease in level of creatinine. Each point is presented as mean ± SEM of five values where *** = p < 0.001 as compared with the control, while a = p < 0.001, b = p < 0.01, c = p < 0.05, and ns = non-significant in comparison with the results of the fructose (10%) group. Here, UA: uric acid, DB-B: butanolic fraction of D. brunonianum, TG: triglyceride, TC: total cholesterol, LDL: low-density lipoprotein, vLDL: very low-density lipoprotein, and HDL: high-density lipoprotein.

Figure 5

D. brunonianum reversed the fructose-induced rise in the level of blood glucose. Each bar is presented as mean ± SEM of five values where *** = p < 0.001 as compared with the control, while a = p < 0.001, in comparison with the results of the fructose (10%) group.

Figure 6

DB-B induced a decrease in glucose intolerance in fructose-fed hypertensive rats. Data was analyzed statistically using two-way ANOVA followed by the Bonferrani test. Results are expressed as mean ± SEM (n = 5) where a = p < 0.001 with respect to fructose (10%), whereas *** = p < 0.001 with respect to the control.

Figure 7

DB-B caused a decrease in serum insulin and HOMA-IR in fructose-fed rats: (A) decrease in serum insulin, and (B) HOMA-IR. Results were analyzed statistically using one-way ANOVA followed by the Bonferrani test. Results are plotted as mean ± SEM (n = 5) where a = p < 0.001 and b = p < 0.01, c = p < 0.05, and ns = non-significant when compared with fructose (10%), whereas *** = p < 0.001 compared with the control.

Figure 8

DB-B-elicited restoration of enzymes of the defense system altered by fructose All results were analyzed statistically using two-way ANOVA followed by the Bonferrani test. Data is presented as mean ± SEM of n = 5. Herein, *** represents p < 0.001 in comparison with the control group, whereas a = p < 0.001, b = p < 0.005, and c = p < 0.05 in relation to the fructose (10%) group. DB-B = butanolic fraction of D. brunonianum.

Figure 9

DB-B-mediated reversal of acetylcholine-evoked vasorelaxation in PE preconstricted aortic tissues. Data obtained was analyzed statistically using two-way ANOVA followed by the Bonferrani test on GraphPad Prism. Here, each point represents the mean ± SEM of n = 5. *** represents p < 0.001 in comparison with the control group, whereas a = p < 0.001 with respect to the fructose (10%) group. DB-B = butanolic fraction of D. brunonianum.

Figure 10

LC–MS chromatogram of DB–B.