Leucas cephalotes regulates carbohydrate and lipid metabolism and improves antioxidant status in IDDM and NIDDM rats.
BACKGROUND
Leucas cephalotes (Roth.) Spreng. (Laminaceae) is an ayurvedic traditional medicinal plant used in India, Nepal and Pakistan to treat several ailments including diabetes.


OBJECTIVE
The aim of the present study is to investigate the antidiabetic, antihyperlipaemic and antioxidant activities of Leucas cephalotes for its purported use in diabetes.


METHODS
The ethanol extract of leaves of Leucas cephalotes was administered (150, 300 and 450 mg kg(-1)bw) to diabetes induced (IDDM and NIDDM) rats and carbohydrate, lipid, antioxidant, urea and creatinine profiles were assessed.


RESULTS
All the three doses of extract decreased plasma glucose and lipid profiles and, improved the antioxidant status of both types of diabetic rats. The extract administration improved hepatic glycogen content and hexokinase activity, decreased glucose-6-phosphatase activity, blood urea, creatinine contents and decreased lipid peroxidation in diabetic rats. Of the three doses used, 450 mg kg(-1)bw dose was found to be more potent in its effects comparable to those of glibenclamide and metformin.


CONCLUSIONS
Leucas cephalotes regulates both carbohydrate and lipid metabolism and, improves body antioxidant defense systems in both types of diabetes.
Department of Genetics and Stanley S Scott Cancer Center, School of Medicine, LSU Health Science Center, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA.
Jasmin H
JH
Bavarva
A V R L
AV
Narasimhacharya
D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000378:metabolism*; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000032:analysis; D050260:Carbohydrate Metabolism / Q000187:drug effects*; D003921:Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism; D003922:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D007677:Kidney Function Tests; D019686:Lamiaceae / Q000737:chemistry*; D050356:Lipid Metabolism / Q000187:drug effects*; D008055:Lipids / Q000032:analysis / Q000097:blood; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects / Q000201:enzymology / Q000378:metabolism; D008112:Liver Glycogen / Q000032:analysis; D008297:Male; D008515:Medicine, Ayurvedic; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000737:chemistry; D010946:Plants, Medicinal; D011897:Random Allocation; D051381:Rats
D000975:Antioxidants; D001786:Blood Glucose; D008055:Lipids; D008112:Liver Glycogen; D010936:Plant Extracts