Beneficial effects of thymoquinone on hepatic key enzymes in streptozotocin-nicotinamide induced diabetic rats.
OBJECTIVE
The present study was designed to evaluate the antihyperglycemic potential of thymoquinone (TQ), major constituent of Nigella sativa seeds on the activities of key enzymes of carbohydrate metabolism in streptozotocin (STZ)-nicotinamide (NA)-induced diabetic rats.


METHODS
Diabetes was induced in experimental rats weighing 180-220g, by a single intraperitoneal (i.p) injection of STZ (45mg/kg b.w), 15min after the i.p administration of NA (110mg/kg b.w). Diabetic rats were administered TQ intragastrically at 20, 40, 80mg/kg b.w for 45days. The levels of plasma glucose, insulin, glycated hemoglobin (HbA(1C)) and hemoglobin (Hb) were measured. The activities of hexokinase, glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase, glucose 6-phosphatase and fructose 1,6-bisphosphatase were assayed in liver homogenates.


RESULTS
Oral administration of TQ for 45days, dose dependently improved the glycemic status in STZ-NA induced diabetic rats. The levels of insulin, Hb increased with significant decrease in glucose and HbA(1C) levels. The altered activities of carbohydrate metabolic enzymes were restored to near normal. No significant changes were noticed in normal rats treated with TQ.


CONCLUSIONS
These results show that TQ at 80mg/kg b.w is associated with beneficial changes in hepatic enzyme activities and thereby exerts potential antihyperglycemic effects.
Pari
Leelavinothan
L
Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Faculty of Science, Annamalai University, Annamalainagar-608 002, Tamilnadu, India. paribalaji@gmail.com
Sankaranarayanan
Chandrasekaran
C
D000818:Animals; D016227:Benzoquinones / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001786:Blood Glucose; D003921:Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000201:enzymology; D008297:Male; D015394:Molecular Structure; D009536:Niacinamide; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D012015:Reference Standards; D013311:Streptozocin
D016227:Benzoquinones; D001786:Blood Glucose; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents; D009536:Niacinamide; D013311:Streptozocin; C003466:thymoquinone