title: Effects of Inula racemosa root and Gymnema sylvestre leaf extracts in the regulation of corticosteroid induced diabetes mellitus: involvement of thyroid hormones.
abstract: The efficacy of Inula racemosa (root) and Gymnema sylvestre (leaf) extracts either alone or in combination was evaluated in the amelioration of corticosteroid-induced hyperglycaemia in mice. Simultaneously thyroid hormone levels were estimated by radio-immunoassay (RIA) in order to ascertain whether the effects are mediated through thyroid hormones or not. While the corticosteroid (dexamethasone) administration increased the serum glucose concentration, it decreased serum concentrations of the thyroid hormones, thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3). Administration of the two plant extracts either alone or in combination decreased the serum glucose concentration in dexamethasone induced hyperglycaemic animals. However, the administration of Inula racemosa and Gymnema sylvestre extracts in combination proved to be more effective than the individual extracts. These effects were comparable to a standard corticosteroid-inhibiting drug, ketoconazole. As no marked changes in thyroid hormone concentrations were observed by the administration of any of the plant extracts in dexamethasone treated animals, it is further suggested that these plant extracts may not prove to be effective in thyroid hormone mediated type II diabetes, but for steroid induced diabetes.
authors.affiliation: Thyroid Research Unit, School of Life Sciences, D. A. University, Khandwa Road, Indore, India.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gholap
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kar
mesh_terms: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D002374:Catalase / Q000378:metabolism; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000494:pharmacology; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D031103:Gymnema / Q000737:chemistry*; D038143:Inula / Q000737:chemistry*; D015227:Lipid Peroxidation / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000737:chemistry; D018517:Plant Roots / Q000737:chemistry; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase / Q000378:metabolism; D013963:Thyroid Hormones / Q000502:physiology*; D013974:Thyroxine / Q000097:blood / Q000502:physiology; D014284:Triiodothyronine / Q000097:blood / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D001786:Blood Glucose; D010936:Plant Extracts; D013963:Thyroid Hormones; D014284:Triiodothyronine; D003907:Dexamethasone; D002374:Catalase; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase; D013974:Thyroxine