Antihyperglycemic and hypolipidemic potential of Caesalpinia decapetala in alloxan-induced diabetic rabbits

Liaqat Hussain¹, Muhammad Imran Qadir² and Shafiq-ur-Rehman¹
¹College of Pharmacy, GC University, Faisalabad, Pakistan; ²Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan, Pakistan.

Abstract

The antihyperglycemic, antihyperlipidemic, kidney and hepatoprotective potential of Caesalpinia decapetala were evaluated in alloxan-induced diabetic rabbits. The plant extract showed concentration dependant significant (p<0.001) therapeutic potential in diabetic rabbits revealing improvement in lipid profile and liver and kidney functions. 300 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg oral extract were able to reduce average blood glucose levels from 250.6 mg/dL to 204.2 mg/dL and 188.2 mg/dL respectively during 14 days period, in comparison to 183.8 mg/dL of glibenclamide. There was no significant synergistic effect found, upon co-administration of both drug and extract representing the competitive binding to sulphonyl urea (SUR1), revealing possible mechanism of action for compounds in extract. Extract was found to be nephroprotective, hepatoprotective and improved lipid profile of alloxan-treated rabbits.

Keywords: Antihyperglycemic; Caesalpinia decapetala; Diabetes mellitus; Lipidemia

Introduction

Diabetes mellitus may be treated by the use of insulin or hypoglycemic agents. Herbal and natural products for diabetes are considered to be safer and widely being evaluated for their therapeutic and safety potential (Khan and Safdar, 2003). Apart from being consumed as such, natural products have also been a superior source of effective drug candidates. In case of diabetes, a larger number of active principles, derived from plants origin have shown activity in treating (non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus) NIDDM (Jayasri et al., 2008).

Caesalpinia decapetala (Roth) Alston (Caesalpiniaceae) is commonly found throughout the Africa and different Asian regions of China, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan and India (Coetzer and Neser, 1999). It is a shrub and can climb up to 25 m in height. The leaves are used in treatment of biliousness, burns, and stomach disorder. It is, locally used as antipyretic, tonic, laxative and carminative. Leaves and root of C. decapetala act as emmenagogue and purgative. C. decapetala has also been locally claimed to be effective as anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic and even effective in diabetic wound healing, but scientific studies to evaluate its antihyperglycemic activities were still being awaited (Sandhya et al., 2011). The present study was designed to assess the antidiabetic and hypolipidemic activity of C. decapetala in alloxan-induced diabetic rabbit models including effects on liver, kidney and lipid profile.

Materials and Methods

Plant material and preparation of extract: The plant C. decapelata was collected from hilly areas of District Swat, Pakistan. This plant was identified by Dr. Ilyas Iqbal, Assistant professor, University of Malakand with voucher identification number UMLCD019. The leaves and whole plant were completely dried under the shade and grinded to fine powder. The powdered material was stored in well closed cellophane bags at room temperature. An aqueous methanolic extract of C. decapetala was prepared using the powder material extracted with water and methanol (70:30) by maceration for 7 days, afterward the extract was filtered and solvent was evaporated by rotary evaporator (Stuart, Bibby Steriline Ltd. UK) to obtain crude extract.

Experimental animals: Healthy adult rabbits of a local strain (Oryctolagus cuniculus) weighing 1-1.5 kg were kept at animal house of the Department of Pharmacy, Government College University, and Faisalabad. None of the animal had any clinical infection. The animals were housed in stainless cages under standard laboratory condition (light period: 8:00 am to 8:00 pm, 21±2°C, relative humidity 55% with free access to green fodder and water). Ethical guidelines of American Psychological Association were followed regarding use of animals in present research. Approval was taken from Ethical Research committee of Advance studies and Research Board (ASRB) of Govt. College University, Faisalabad. Approved document with reference no. GCU-Pharm-023-2013 was deposited in official record of Research Board.

Induction of diabetes: Each group except controls was fasted for 16 hours prior to intravenous injection of alloxan. Alloxan 150 mg/kg was dissolved in isotonic saline to induce diabetes (Razi et al., 2011). The control group A only received the same volume of isotonic saline. 72 hours after alloxan administration, diabetes was confirmed by measuring blood glucose level via glucometer (Optium Xceed, Abbot Laboratories, USA). Rabbits with blood glucose ≥250 mg/dL were included for further study. The C. decapelata treated diabetic rabbits received extract daily for 14 days after induction of diabetes was confirmed. Drug was given orally by making uniform suspension in normal saline and same was the case with plant extract but it was dissolved in water.

Experimental design: Animals were divided in eight groups, normal rabbits receiving saline as control, and normal rabbits receiving extract to see the hypoglycemic effects (Sharma et al., 2003). Diabetic rabbits were given extract at two doses 300 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg, with and without standard drug i.e. glibenclamide to elucidate the possible target of plant extract (Table I).

Biochemical analysis: Wooden rabbit holders were used for collection of blood sample of experimental animals from marginal vein of ear. Blood samples were collected before and after the administration of the drug. In order to protect rabbits from infections, the pricked site was rubbed with cotton swabs soaked in 70% alcohol. The parameters like Serum total cholesterol, triglyceride, serum glutamate pyruvatate transaminase (SGPT), serum glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase (SGOT), serum urea and creatinine were determined by enzymatic test kit (Fluitest) by means of micro lab 300 (Merck). The plasma LDLs level was determined with the formula:

Statistical analysis: The data was represented as mean ± standard deviation (SD) and analyzed by using two factor completely randomized design (CRD). Least Significant difference test (LSD) at 5% level of significance was applied. Microsoft Excel (2007) and Minitab was used to check difference among means.

Results

Blood glucose level in previously received alloxan-treated with extract 300 mg/kg, 500 mg/kg and glibenclamide (5 mg/kg) for 14 days showed decreased its level (Table II).

Total cholesterol, triglyceride and low density lipoprotein (LDL) level increased significantly (p<0.01) in diabetic rabbits, while high density lipoprotein (HDL) level decreased (p<0.01). Treatment with C. decapetala significantly decreased (p<0.01) the elevated level of total cholesterol, triglyceride and low density lipoprotein (LDL) level and increased high density lipoprotein (HDL) level (Table III).

There is significant increase in ALT and AST level in alloxanised rabbits. C. decapetala significantly (p<0.01) decreased SGPT and SGOT level in diabetic rabbits (Table III).

Urea and creatinine level were significantly decreased after the administration of C. decapetala extract.

Discussion

Methanolic extract was obtained from wood and pericap of C. decapetala and were investigated for decrease in blood glucose level in experimental animals as compared to control glibenclamide. C. decapetala belongs to family Caesalpiniacae, traditionally it is used as purgatives. Constituents like Flavonoids and phenols also showed the decrease in oxidative stress associated with diabetes (Jayasri et al., 2008). Other plants from same family are investigated for presence of these constituents (Srinivas et al., 2003). Antidiabetic activity may be due to flavonoids, tannins or polyphenols, which need to be further explored for structure and phytochemical analysis. In group F and G, when extract was given in combination with standard SUR receptor binder, i.e. glibenclamide, then no synergistic effects of drug and extract were observed, indicating the same target is being shared for both for antidiabetic activity. Competitive binding to SUR receptor is proposed mechanism of action. When drug was given alone to normal rabbits, then blood gluclose levels were normal and showed no hypoglycemic effects. Extract showed dose dependant reduction of anti-hyperglycemic effects in diabetic rabbits of group C and D which are very much comparable to standard drug given alone in group E. In isolated form these effects may be more prominent with small dose even.

Hypercholesterolemia and hypertriglyceridemia have been reported to occur in alloxan induced diabetic rabbits (Wojtowicz et al., 2003) and same was observed in this study. Oral administration of C. decapetala extract decreased the total cholesterol and triglyceride level in diabetic groups. HDL level decreases in type 2 diabetic patients that eventually causes atheromatous disease (Rang et al, 2003). It was observed that oral administration of C. decapetala extract increased HDL and decreases LDL levels in diabetic rabbits. The antihyperlipidemic effects of C. decapetala extract might be due to inhibition of fatty acid synthesis (Jayasri et al., 2008). The strong hypolipidemic effects might be through its control of diabetes, as this is a main determinant of total cholesterol, triglyceride and LDL levels (Laakso, 1995).

The present study showed that C. decapetala treatment significantly decreased the elevated levels of SGPT and SGOT levels in diabetic groups, which showed that C. decapetala may reduce the risk of liver failure associated with diabetes. C. decapetala extract also significantly decreased the elevated levels of serum urea and serum creatinine which showed that this may act as crucial trigger for kidney to revert to their metabolic homeostasis. The antidiabetic effects of aqueous methanolic extract of C. decapetalais possibly may be due to polyphenol and flavonoids that have the antioxidant activity and are very effective in preventing oxidative damage and protecting beta cells of pancreas.

In conclusion, C. decapetalai showed significant potential of reducing the blood glucose and cholesterol levels as well as protective activity for both liver and kidney, which indicate the safety associated with use of crude drug.

References

Coetzer W, Neser S. Biological control initiatives against the invasive Oriental legume, Caesalpinia decapetala (Roth) alston (Mauritius thorn), in South Africa. Biological control of weeds in South Africa (1990-1998) Afr Entomol Memoir. 1999; 1: 145-52.

Dhasarathan P, Theriappan P. Evaluation of antidiabetic activity of Strychonous potatorum in alloxan induced diabetic rats. J Med Med Sci. 2011; 2: 670-74.

Jayasri M, Gunasekaran S, Radha A, Mathew T. Antidiabetic effect of Costus pictus leaves in normal and streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. J Diabet Metabol. 2008; 16: 117-22.

Khan A, Safdar M. Role of diet, nutrients, spices and natural products in diabetes mellitus. Pakistan J Nutr. 2003; 2: 1-12.

Laakso M. Epidemiology of diabetic dyslipidemia. Diabetes Rev. 1995; 3: 408-22.

Rang H. Atherosclerosis and lipoprotein metabolism. In: Pharmacology. Rang H, Dale M, Ritter J, Moore PK. (eds). 5th ed. England, Churchill Livingstone, 2003, pp 306-10.

Razi MT, Saadullah M, Murtaza G, Hassan W. Determination of the antidiabetic effect of methanolic extract of Sphaeranthus indicus L. on alloxan induced diabetic rabbits. Lat Am J Pharm. 2011; 30.

Sandhya S, Kumar PS, Vinod K, Banji D, Kumar K. Plants as potent antidiabetic and wound healing agents: A review. Hygeia JD Med. 2011; 3: 11-19.

Sharma S, Nasir A, Prabhu K, Murthy P, Dev G. Hypoglycaemic and hypolipidemic effect of ethanolic extract of seeds of Eugenia jambolana in alloxan-induced diabetic rabbits. J Ethnopharmacol. 2003; 85: 201-06.

Srinivas K, Koteswara Rao Y, Mahender I, Das B, Rama Krishna K, Hara Kishore K, et al. Flavanoids from Caesalpinia pulcherrima. Phytochemistry. 2003; 63: 789-93.

Wojtowicz Z, Wrona W, Kiś G, Błaszczak M, Solecka A, editors. Serum total cholesterol, triglycerides and high density lipoproteins (HDL) levels in rabbit during the course of experimental diabetes. Annales Universitatis Mariae Curie-Sklodowska Sectio D, Medicina, 2003.