Protective Effect of Nyctanthes arbor-tristis Linn. Leaf Extract Against Alloxan-Induced Oxidative Stress in Diabetic Rats

Abstract

Nyctanthes arbor-tristis Linn. Harsinghar (Nyctanthaceae) is a medicinal plant, which is used traditionally in Indian system of medicine for the treatment of fever, liver disease, rheumatism, respiratory disease, etc. In the present investigation the antidiabetic and antioxidant activity of 50% ethanolic leaf extract of N. arbor-tristis (NAEt) were evaluated in diabetic rats induced with alloxan. In comparison to normal control animals, diabetes was related with a decrease in the serum antioxidant enzyme activities such as SOD, CAT and GPx. The diabetic rats were treated with NAEt (100 and 200 mg/kg bw) orally for 21 days. The glucose level in the serum was decreased in the NAEt group in comparison of diabetic control group. In addition, the extract enhanced the activities of SOD (p<0.05), CAT (p<0.05 – 0.01), and GPx (p<0.01); a higher effect at the higher dose. Lipid peroxidation activity, as determined by hepatic thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS) was also significantly reduced following NAEt treatment. In summary, the 50% ethanolic extract of N. arbor-tristis is found to have promising antidiabetic and antioxidant activity in alloxan induced diabetic rats, possibly by boosting the endogenous antioxidant mechanisms and minimizing the oxidative stress caused by diabetes.