Preventive effect of Sphaeranthus indicus during progression of glucocorticoid-induced insulin resistance in mice.
BACKGROUND
The whole plant of Sphaeranthus indicus Linn. (Asteraceae) is traditionally used in the treatment of diabetes mellitus.


OBJECTIVE
The present study investigated the effect of the methanol extract of Sphaeranthus indicus whole plant in dexamethasone-induced insulin resistance in mice.


METHODS
The mice were treated with dexamethasone for 22 days and effects on plasma glucose level, serum triglyceride level, glucose uptake, levels of hepatic enzymes like glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), lipid peroxidase (LPO), and body weight was observed.


RESULTS
The Sphaeranthus indicus extract (SI) showed significant decrease in plasma glucose and serum triglyceride levels (p <0.01) at doses, of 400 and 800 mg/kg, p.o., and stimulated insulin assisted and non-insulin assisted glucose uptake in skeletal muscle. The levels of antioxidant enzymes GSH, SOD, and CAT were significantly increased (p <0.01) and there was a significant decrease in level of LPO (p <0.01). SI significantly restored (p <0.01) dexamethasone induced body weight loss.


CONCLUSIONS
Sphaeranthus indicus may prove to be effective in the treatment of type II diabetes mellitus owing to its ability to decrease insulin resistance.
Ghaisas
Mahesh
M
SCES's Indira College of Pharmacy, Tathwade, Pune, India. ghaisasmm@yahoo.com
Zope
Vinit
V
Takawale
Abhijeet
A
Navghare
Vijay
V
Tanwar
Mukesh
M
Deshpande
Avinash
A
D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000378:metabolism; D019659:Asteraceae / Q000737:chemistry*; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000187:drug effects; D001835:Body Weight / Q000187:drug effects; D002374:Catalase / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000633:toxicity; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000633:toxicity; D007333:Insulin Resistance; D015227:Lipid Peroxidation / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood
D000975:Antioxidants; D001786:Blood Glucose; D005938:Glucocorticoids; D010936:Plant Extracts; D014280:Triglycerides; D003907:Dexamethasone; D002374:Catalase