Monitoring of antioxidative effect of morine in alloxan-induced diabetes mellitus in the laboratory rat

The purpose of the study was to monitor the antioxidative effect of morine in alloxan-induced diabetes mellitus in laboratory rat. The animals were divided by random selection into two groups (n = 7). The treated group was given morine in oral doses of 10 mg/kg(-1) in 0.5% solution of Methocel E5 once a day; the control diabetic group was given only the solution of Methocel E5. Once a week, selected laboratory indices were determined in all animals (glucose, urea and cholesterol levels in serum, total glucose and protein losses through urine); diuresis as well as antioxidative enzymes (superoxiddismutase, glutathione peroxidase); total antioxidative capacity and malondialdehyde level in the blood. On the 20th day the animals were exsanguinated and kidney tissue and pancreas samples were taken for histopathological analysis. We found a significant increase (pless than or equal to0.05) of the glutathione peroxidase catalytic activity in the treated group compared to control diabetic group. There was also a highly significant increase (p less than or equal to 0.01) of total antioxidative capacity in the treated group compared to control diabetic group. A significant decrease (p less than or equal to 0.05) of malondialdehyde level was identified in the treated group compared to the control diabetic group. The superoxiddismutase catalytic activity involved nonsignificant changes. A significant decrease (p less than or equal to 0.05) of cholesterol level in serum was identified in the treated group compared to control diabetic group. Other examined laboratory parameters did not exhibit significant changes. Biochemical indices followed in this study indicated a protective antioxidative effect of morine. However, the results of histopathological examination did not correlate with them.