title: Anti-diabetic effects of ethanol extract of Bryonia laciniosa seeds and its saponins rich fraction in neonatally streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Bryonia laciniosa Linn. (Cucurbitaceae) seed is used in traditional medicine for a number of ailments including metabolic disorders.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This study evaluated the anti-diabetic action of the ethanol extract of B. laciniosa seeds and saponin fraction of it through its effect on hyperglycemia, dyslipidaemia and oxidative stress in neonatally streptozotocin (n-STZ)-induced diabetic rats (n-STZ diabetic rats).
  
  
  METHODS
  Ethanol extract (250 and 500 mg/kg; p.o.), saponin fraction (100 and 200 mg/kg; p.o.) and standard drug glibenclamide (3 mg/kg; p.o.) were administered to diabetic rats when the rats were 6 weeks old and continued for 10 consecutive weeks. Effects of ethanol extract and saponin fraction on various biochemical parameters were studied in diabetic rats.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The treatment with ethanol extract and saponin fraction for 10 weeks decrease in the levels of glucose, triglycerides, cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein, low-density lipoprotein, very low-density lipoprotein, serum urea, serum creatinine and diminished activities of aspartate transaminase, and alanine transaminase. The anti-hyperglycemic nature of B. laciniosa is probably brought about by the extra- the pancreatic mechanism as evidenced from unchanged levels of plasma insulin. B. laciniosa modulated effect of diabetes on the liver malondialdehyde, reduced glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase (CAT) activity. Administration of ethanol extract and saponin fraction to diabetic rats showed a significant reversal of disturbed antioxidant status. Significant increase in SOD, CAT, and levels of GSH was observed in treated n-STZ diabetic rats.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The present study reveals the efficacy of B. laciniosa seed extract and its saponin fraction in the amelioration of n-STZ diabetic rats.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, Indukaka Ipcowala College of Pharmacy, New Vallbh Vidyanagar, Anand, India.
authors.forename: Sandip B
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: Patel
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Rofel Shri G.M. Bilakhia College of Pharmacy, Vapi, India.
authors.forename: Devdas
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Santani
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacognosy, Anand College of Pharmacy, Anand, India.
authors.forename: Veena
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Patel
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacognosy, L. M. College of Pharmacy, Navrangpura, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India.
authors.forename: Mamta
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Shah
keywords: Diabetes mellitus; dyslipidemia; hyperglycemia; oxidative stress