Antioxidant role of mulberry (Morus indica L. cv. Anantha) leaves in streptozotocin-diabetic rats.
BACKGROUND
The antihyperglycemic and antioxidant role of mulberry (Morus indica L.) leaves were investigated.


METHODS
Streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic male Wistar rats were used as experimental models; one group was given 25% dry mulberry leaf powder mixed with the standard diet and another group was given standard diet for a period of 8 weeks. The antihyperglycemic and antioxidant role of mulberry was assessed by determining its effect on blood glucose, lipid peroxidation, reduced glutathione (GSH) concentrations and on the activity of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH) and various antioxidant enzymes in erythrocytes and compared with that of controls.


RESULTS
Mulberry-treated diabetic rats showed a significant decrease in fasting blood glucose concentrations indicating a good glycemic control. Increased lipid peroxidation and the activity of catalase (CAT) in erythrocytes observed in diabetic controls were significantly decreased by mulberry leaves (48% and 33%, respectively). Decreased GSH concentrations and the activity of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase and antioxidant enzymes viz., glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione reductase (GR), glutathione-S-transferase (GST) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) observed in uncontrolled diabetes were improved (52%, 69%, 151%, 95%, 24% and 106%) by mulberry treatment very efficiently.


CONCLUSIONS
Mulberry leaves possess antihyperglycemic and antioxidant properties.
Andallu
Bondada
B
Department of Home Science, Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning, Anantapur-515001, India. andullusss@rediffmail.com
Varadacharyulu
N Ch
NCh
D000821:Animal Feed; D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000378:metabolism / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001835:Body Weight / Q000187:drug effects; D003921:Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000178:diet therapy* / Q000201:enzymology / Q000378:metabolism; D004032:Diet; D005247:Feeding Behavior / Q000187:drug effects; D005947:Glucose / Q000032:analysis; D005978:Glutathione / Q000378:metabolism; D015227:Lipid Peroxidation / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D031625:Morus / Q000737:chemistry*; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000737:chemistry*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D013311:Streptozocin / Q000494:pharmacology
D000975:Antioxidants; D010936:Plant Extracts; D013311:Streptozocin; D005978:Glutathione; D005947:Glucose