European Journal of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences

MODULATORY EFFECTS OF ANDROGRAPHOLIDE ON ATTENUATING THE KEY ENZYMES ACTIVITIES OF CARBOHYDRATE METABOLISM AND GLYCOGEN CONTENT IN STREPTOZOTOCIN INDUCED DIABETIC RATS

Ramavat Ravindar Naik*, Abay Kumar Pandey, Suresh Pothani, Nagaraju T.

ABSTRACT

Objectives: Andrographis paniculata and its active compound andrographolide are ancient herbal medicine recommended by the World Health Organization. In this study, the effect of andrographolide on changes in carbohydrate metabolic enzymes and glycogen content in muscle and kidneys of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats were evaluated. Methods: Diabetes was induced into male albino Wistar rats by intraperitoneal administration of streptozotocin (STZ). The andrographolide at different doses (15,30and 60 mg/kg b.w) was
administered orally to normal and STZ-diabetic rats for 45 days. Results: STZ intoxication leads to a significant increase (P < 0.05) in blood glucose and a decrease in insulin levels. The carbohydrate metabolic enzymes and glycogen content were also altered. The daily oral administration of andrographolide at different doses (15,30and 60 mg/kg b.w) to diabetic rats for 45 days; resulted a significant (p < 0.05) decline in blood glucose level and a significant increase in plasma insulin level. The altered activities of carbohydrate metabolic key enzymes in muscle and kidneys of diabetic rats were significantly (p < 0.05) reverted to near normal level by the administration of andrographolide. The obtained results were compared with glibenclamide, a standard oral hypoglycemic drug. Conclusions: Thus, the modulatory effects of andrographolide on attenuating these enzymes activities afford a promise for persistent use for the treatment of diabetes in the future even though clinical studies to evaluate this possibility may be warranted.

Keywords: Diabetes; andrographolide; Andrographis paniculata; Streptozotocin.