title: Effect of Rebaudioside A, a diterpenoid on glucose homeostasis in STZ-induced diabetic rats.
abstract: Rebaudioside A (Reb A), a major constituent of Stevia rebaudiana, was recently proposed as an insulinotropic agent. The aim of this investigation was to evaluate the antihyperglycemic effect of Reb A on the activities of hepatic enzymes of carbohydrate metabolism in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. Diabetes was induced in adult male Albino Wistar rats, weighing 180-200 g, by a single intraperitoneal injection at a dose of STZ (40 mg/kg body weight). Diabetic rats showed significant (P<0.05) increase in the levels of plasma glucose and glycosylated hemoglobin and significant (P<0.05) decrease in the levels of plasma insulin and hemoglobin. Activities of gluconeogenic enzymes such as glucose-6-phosphatase and fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase were significantly (P<0.05) increased while hexokinase and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase were significantly (P<0.05) decreased in the liver along with glycogen. Oral treatment with Reb A to diabetic rats significantly (P<0.05) decreased blood glucose and reversed these hepatic carbohydrate metabolizing enzymes in a significant manner. Histopathology changes of pancreas confirmed the protective effects of Reb A in diabetic rats. Thus, the results show that Reb A possesses an antihyperglycemic activity and provide evidence for its traditional usage in the control of diabetes.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Faculty of Science, Annamalai University, Annamalainagar 608 002 Tamil Nadu, India, jayamsaranbio@gmail.com
authors.forename: Ramalingam
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Saravanan
authors.forename: Kaliyappan
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Vengatash babu
authors.forename: Vinayagam
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Ramachandran
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism*; D003921:Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000378:metabolism*; D045786:Diterpenes, Kaurane / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005952:Glucose-6-Phosphatase / Q000378:metabolism; D005954:Glucosephosphate Dehydrogenase / Q000378:metabolism; D006003:Glycogen / Q000378:metabolism; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects / Q000201:enzymology / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D013311:Streptozocin
chemical_list: D001786:Blood Glucose; D045786:Diterpenes, Kaurane; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents; D013311:Streptozocin; D006003:Glycogen; C025474:rebaudioside A; D005954:Glucosephosphate Dehydrogenase; D005952:Glucose-6-Phosphatase