title: Modulatory effect of Gymnema montanum leaf extract on brain antioxidant status and lipid peroxidation in diabetic rats.
abstract: The effects of leaf extract from Gymnema montanum, an endangered and endemic plant, were examined on brain lipid peroxidation in experimental diabetic rats. Ethanolic extract of G. montanum leaves was administered orally (50, 100, and 200 mg/kg of body weight) for 3 weeks, and changes in blood glucose, plasma insulin, and lipid peroxidation markers such as thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS), hydroperoxides, and levels of antioxidants, namely, superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, reduced glutathione, and glutathione-S-transferase, were examined in the brain of alloxan-induced diabetic rats. Glibenclamide was used as a standard reference drug. A significant increase in the activities of antioxidants was observed in brain on treatment with G. montanum leaf extract and glibenclamide for 3 weeks. Both the treated groups showed significant decreases in formation of TBARS and hydroperoxides in brain, suggesting a role in protective action against lipid peroxidation-mediated membrane damage. Our findings indicate that G. montanum leaf extract possesses antiperoxidative and antioxidant effects in addition to its antidiabetic activity. This report helps to create awareness on the need for conservation of medicinal plants, and G. montanum is one such plant that needs to be conserved through various propagation trials.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Annamalai University, Annamalainagar, India.
authors.forename: Kunga Mohan
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Ramkumar
authors.forename: Muniappan
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Latha
authors.forename: Subramaniam
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Venkateswaran
authors.forename: Leelavinothan
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Pari
authors.forename: Rajendran
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ananthan
authors.forename: Vengatesh Narmatha
authors.initials: VN
authors.lastname: Bai
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000187:drug effects / Q000201:enzymology / Q000378:metabolism*; D002374:Catalase / Q000378:metabolism; D003247:Conservation of Natural Resources; D003921:Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005978:Glutathione / Q000378:metabolism; D005979:Glutathione Peroxidase / Q000378:metabolism; D005982:Glutathione Transferase / Q000378:metabolism; D005905:Glyburide / Q000494:pharmacology; D031103:Gymnema / Q000737:chemistry*; D006861:Hydrogen Peroxide / Q000032:analysis; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D015227:Lipid Peroxidation / Q000187:drug effects*; D008297:Male; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology*; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000737:chemistry; D011897:Random Allocation; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase / Q000378:metabolism; D017392:Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents; D010936:Plant Extracts; D017392:Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances; D006861:Hydrogen Peroxide; D002374:Catalase; D005979:Glutathione Peroxidase; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase; D005982:Glutathione Transferase; D005978:Glutathione; D005905:Glyburide