title: Evaluation of hypoglycemic activity of inorganic constituents in Nelumbo nucifera seeds on streptozotocin-induced diabetes in rats.
abstract: The seeds of Nelumbo nucifera (Lotus) have been used in the traditional system of medicine for various ailments including diabetes. The present study was aimed at analyzing the levels of biologically important trace elements in the lotus seeds by atomic absorption spectroscopy and evaluating the hypoglycemic properties of seed ash on streptozotocin-induced diabetes in rats. Diabetic rats treated with lotus seed ash at a concentration of 200 mg/kg body weight orally for 30 days exhibited significant hypoglycemic activity. The presence of trace elements in appreciable amounts in the seeds may play a direct or indirect role on insulin secretion or its action in a synergetic manner. The hypoglycemic activity of the ash was comparable with glyclazide. The role of trace elements in disorders related to diabetes is also discussed briefly.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, University of Madras, Guindy Campus, Chennai 600 025, India.
authors.forename: Sivasankari S
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Mani
authors.forename: Iyyam Pillai
authors.initials: IP
authors.lastname: Subramanian
authors.forename: Subramanian Sorimuthu
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Pillai
authors.forename: Kandaswamy
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Muthusamy
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000187:drug effects*; D003921:Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy*; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D031653:Nelumbo / Q000737:chemistry*; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D012639:Seeds / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D001786:Blood Glucose; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents; D010936:Plant Extracts