Antidiabetic and Antioxidant Potentials of Amaranthus hybridus in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rats.

BACKGROUND

Amaranthus hybridus (Amaranthaceae) has been used as a folk medicine in southern parts of India for the treatment of diabetes.

OBJECTIVE

This research evaluates the antidiabetic and antioxidant effects of Amaranthus hybridus ethanol leaf extract (AHELE) in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.

METHODS

Blood glucose levels of diabetic rats were measured on days 1, 4, 7, and 15 after oral administration of AHELE at doses of 200 and 400 mg/kg for 14 days. The effects of extract were observed on serum glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase, serum glutamate pyruvate transaminase, serum alkaline phosphatase, cholesterol, high- and low-density lipoprotein, antioxidant potential, and histopathological changes.

RESULTS

AHELE (200 and 400 mg/kg) caused a significant (p < 0.001) reduction in blood glucose levels on day 15 (152.2 and 181.2 mg/dL, respectively versus diabetic control 287.0 mg/dL). The extract also improved serum biochemical parameters associated with diabetes. A significant (p < 0.001) decrease in malondialdehyde protein (liver: 15.92, 12.29 nmol/mg, and kidney: 13.92, 10.29 nmol/mg vs. diabetic control 25.49, 24.49 nmol/mg), increase in superoxide dismutase protein (14.01; 17.47 IU/mg, and 25.01; 37.47 IU/mg vs. diabetic control 9.65; 15.65 IU/mg), catalase protein (35.80, 44.49, and 39.80, 49.69 nmol/min/mg vs. diabetic control 18.45, 20.85 nmol/min/mg) and reduced glutathione protein (44.77, 55.08 and 40.77, 51.08 μM/gm vs. diabetic control 29.81, 26.50 μM/gm) were observed.

CONCLUSIONS

The study reveals that treatment of diabetic rats with AHELE significantly reduced hyperglycemia-associated oxidative damage. This could provide a rationale for the use of the plant to treat diabetes in folk medicine.