Anti-hyperglycemic Activity of Chromium(III) Malate Complex in Alloxan-Induced Diabetic Rats

The synthesis, characterization, anti-hyperglycemic activity, oxidative DNA damage capacity, and acute toxicity of chromium(III) malate complex [Cr(2)(LMA)(3)] were described. [Cr(2)(LMA)(3)] was synthesized in a single-step reaction by chelating chromium(III) with L-malic acid in aqueous solution. Based on elemental analysis, thermodynamic analysis, and spectroscopy studies, the molecular formula of [Cr(2)(LMA)(3)] was inferred as Cr(2)(C(4)H(4)O(5))(3)center dot 5H(2)O. Daily treatment with 2.85-17.10 mg/kg body mass of [Cr(2)(LMA)(3)] in alloxan-induced diabetic rats for 2 weeks indicated that low-molecular-weight organic chromium complex [Cr(2)(LMA)(3)] had better bioavailability and more beneficial influences on the improvement of controlling blood glucose, serum lipid, and liver glycogen levels compared with CrCl(3)center dot 6H(2)O. [Cr(2)(LMA)(3)] did not cause oxidative DNA damage under physiologically relevant conditions. Acute toxicity studies revealed no-measurable toxicity of the [Cr(2)(LMA)(3)]. Collectively, these results suggest that [Cr(2)(LMA)(3)] may represent a novel, proper chromium supplement with potential therapeutic value to control blood glucose and serum lipid in diabetes.