Antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and hypoglycemic effects of Fagonia olivieri DC on STZ-nicotinamide induced diabetic rats - In vivo and in vitro study

Ethnopharmacological relevance: Fagonia olivieri (Zygophyllaceae) is used in Pakistan for management of diabetes and for treatment of stress related disorders of liver and kidneys. The objective of present study was to evaluate antidiabetic activity of F. olivieri using streptozotocin-nicotinamide induced diabetic rat model. Methods: Powder of the whole plant of F. olivieri was extracted with methanol (FOME) and the residue was fractionated with n-hexane (FOHE), chloroform (FOCE), ethyl acetate (FOCE), n-butanol (FOBE) and the remaining soluble aqueous fraction (FOAE). The extract/fractions were evaluated for in vitro inhibition of alpha-amylase and alpha-glucosidase and for the antidiabetic studies in Sprague-Dawley rats. FOAE was evaluated in 21 day chronic multiple dose study. Glibenclamide (10 mg/kg) and FOAE were used at a concentration of 200 mg/kg (164.8 mu g of catechin) and 400 mg/kg (329.6 mu g of catechin) in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. Various serum parameters, blood cell parameters and oxidative stress induced parameters of the liver and kidneys were investigated. Results: Results showed that aqueous fraction of F. olivieri (FOAE) potentially inhibited activity of pancreatic alpha-amylase, intestinal maltase and sucrase. Administration of FOAE (200 mg/kg; 400 mg/kg) to diabetic rats for 21 days increased body weight, hemoglobin and its indices, RBCs, platelets, lymphocytes and neutrophils against diabetic group. In serum level of glucose, transaminases, ALP, LDH, total bilirubin, creatinine and lipids decreased while insulin, total protein and albumin increased in contrast to diabetic group. Further, level of cytokines; TGF-beta 1, TNF-alpha and IL-6 in serum and altered level of antioxidant enzymes, glutathione and lipid peroxides of liver and kidney tissues restored towards control animals. Conclusion: This study demonstrated that FOAE inhibited activity of digestive enzymes and exhibited antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antihyperglycemic activity in STZ-nicotinamide prompted diabetic rats and suggested that FOAE might be used as a therapeutic agent for the management of type-2 diabetes.