%0 Journal Article
%T Antidiabetic and Antioxidant Properties of Triticum aestivum in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rats
%A Yogesha Mohan
%A Grace Nirmala Jesuthankaraj
%A Narendhirakannan Ramasamy Thangavelu
%J Advances in Pharmacological Sciences
%D 2013
%I Hindawi Publishing Corporation
%R 10.1155/2013/716073
%X The antidiabetic and antioxidant potential of Triticum aestivum were evaluated by using in vivo methods in normal and streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Diabetes was induced in the Wistar strain albino rats by injecting streptozotocin at a dose of 55£¿mg/kg body weight. Ethanolic extracts of Triticum aestivum at doses of 100£¿mg/kg body weight were administered orally for 30 days. Various parameters were studied and the treatment group with the extract showed a significant increase in the liver glycogen and a significant decrease in fasting blood glucose, glycosylated hemoglobin levels, and serum marker enzyme levels. The total cholesterol and serum triglycerides levels, low density lipoprotein, and very low density lipoprotein were also significantly reduced and the high density lipoprotein level was significantly increased upon treatment with the Triticum aestivum ethanol extract. A significant decrease in the levels of lipid peroxides, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione peroxidise and increase in the levels of vitamin E, catalase, and reduced glutathione were observed in Triticum aestivum treated diabetic rats. Thus, from this study we conclude that ethanolic extract of Triticum aestivum exhibited significant antihyperglycemic, hypolipidemic, and antioxidant activities in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. 1. Introduction Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a chronic endocrine disorder, involving metabolic disorders of carbohydrate, fat, and protein. All forms of diabetes are characterized by a decrease in the circulating concentration of insulin (insulin deficiency) and a decrease in the response of peripheral tissues to insulin (insulin resistance) [1]. The disorder has reached epidemic levels and threatens a worldwide epidemic. According to World Health Organization (WHO), the disease incidence in 2010 was about 285 million people worldwide, and the number is projected to grow to 438 million by 2030 [2]. India has earned the dubious distinction of being termed the ¡°Diabetes Capital of the World¡± by leading the world with largest number of diabetic subjects and the prevalence of diabetes is consistently increasing [3]. Oxidative stress is involved in the development and progression of diabetes-associated complications. In hyperglycemic condition, continuous generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) occurs and the evidence showed diabetes induced changes in the activities of antioxidant enzymes in various tissues. Antioxidants play an important role in scavenging the free radicals and protect the human body from oxidative stress [4¨C6]. Hence, drug
%U http://www.hindawi.com/journals/aps/2013/716073/