Improvement of lipid profile and atherogenic index in rat treated with Cymbopogon citratus Stapf water extract

OBJECTIVE To investigate the effects of Cymbopogon citratus Stapf water extract(CCS)on lipid profile,atherogenic index and antioxidant enzymes in Sprague-Dawley rats.METHODS Rats aged eight weeks(250±20)g were orally administered with CCS at 250 and 500mg·kg-1·d-1 for one month.RESULTS Administration of CCS extract to rats caused significant decrease of serum total cholesterol,triglycerides and LDL levels,whereas,the HDL level was increased compared with untreated rats(P<0.05).Moreover,the CCS extract showed a significant decreased atherogenic index in comparison with untreated rats(P<0.05).Furthermore,serum activities of superoxide dismutases and catalase were also improved in rats treated with CCS.This was consistent with decrease of serum thiobarbituric acid reactive substance.CONCLUSION The present study provides evidence that CCS water extract provides a benefit effect on serum lipid and atherogenic index and exhibits antioxidant effect in vivo.     

Hypoglycemic and antioxidant effects of Rheum franzenbachii extract in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

The hypoglycemic and antioxidant effects of ethanol extract from the roots and rhizomes of Rheum franzenbachii Münt. (Polygonaceae) were evaluated in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Effects of repeated oral administration of ethanol extract (125, 250, and 500?mg/kg body weight) on the plasma glucose level (PGL), oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), malondialdehyde (MDA), reduced glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase (CAT) in diabetic rats were examined. It was found that administration of ethanol extract (125, 250, and 500?mg/kg) produced a significant fall in PGL, AUC, and MDA, while elevating the GSH levels and SOD and CAT activities in diabetic rats. The dose of 500?mg/kg was identified as the most effective dose, with a decrease of 65.8 and 44.0% in PGL and MDA, and elevation of 72.6, 75.0, and 51.5% in GSH level and SOD and CAT activities, respectively, after 14 days of ERF administration in diabetic rats. Moreover, the OGTT studies showed a maximum reduction in PGL and AUC. From the active extract of Rheum franzenbachii, two stilbenes, desoxyrhapontigenin (1) and desoxyrhaponticin (2), were isolated as major constituents. The present study concludes that the ethanol extract of roots and rhizomes from Rheum franzenbachii had significant hypoglycemic and antioxidant effects.     

Antidiabetic, antioxidant and antihyperlipidemic status of Heliotropium zeylanicum extract on streptozotocin-induced diabetes in rats

The potential role of the methanolic extract of Heliotropium zeylanicum (BURM.F) LAMK (MEHZ) in the treatment of diabetes along with its antioxidant and antihyperlipidemic effects was studied in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Oral administration of (MEHZ) 150 and 300 mg/kg/d for 14 d significantly decreased the blood glucose level and considerably increased the body weight, food intake, and liquid intake of diabetic-induced rats. MEHZ significantly decreased thiobarbituric acid reactive substances and significantly increased reduced glutathione, superoxide dismutase and catalase in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats at the end of 14 d of treatment. The study also investigated the antihyperlipidemic potential of MEHZ. The results show that the active fraction of MEHZ is promising for development of a standardized phytomedicine for the treatment of diabetes mellitus.     

Effect of N-benzoyl-D-phenylalanine on streptozotocin-induced changes in the lipid and lipoprotein profile in rats

The effect of N-benzoyl-D-phenylalanine (NBDP) and metformin combination treatment on circulatory lipids, lipoproteins and lipid peroxidation markers were studied in neonatal streptozotocin (nSTZ) non-insulin dependent diabetic rats. Non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) was induced by a single dose injection of streptozotocin (100 mg kg(-1), i. p.) to two-day-old rats. After 10-12 weeks, rats weighing above 150 g were selected for screening for the NIDDM model. The rats were checked for fasting blood glucose levels to confirm the status of NIDDM. NBDP (50,100 or 200 mg kg(-1) ) was administered orally for six weeks to the confirmed diabetic rats (to evaluate the effective dose). The levels of serum lipids and lipid peroxidation markers were significantly increased, whilst the activity of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase was significantly decreased in nSTZ diabetic rats. NBDP and metformin were able to restore the altered serum lipids, lipoproteins, lipid peroxidation marker levels and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase activity to almost control levels. The results showed the antihyperlipidaemic properties of NBDP and metformin in addition to its antidiabetic action. Combination treatment was more effective then either drug alone. The results indicated that the coadministration of NBDP with metformin to nSTZ diabetic rats normalized blood glucose and caused marked improvement in altered serum lipids, lipoproteins and lipid peroxidation markers during diabetes. The data indicated that NBDP represented an effective antihyperglycaemic and antihyperlipidaemic adjunct for the treatment of diabetes, and may be a potential source of new orally active agents for future therapy.     

Effect of Casearia esculenta root extract on blood glucose and plasma antioxidant status in streptozotocin diabetic rats

Our preliminary study shows that an oral administration of an aqueous extract of Casearia esculenta, an indigenous antidiabetic plant popularly used in South India for diabetes mellitus, lowers blood glucose level under normal and glucose load conditions, and in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetes in rats. The study was further undertaken to evaluate the antioxidant potential of C. esculenta in STZ diabetic rats. Oral administration of C. esculenta root extract at doses of 200 and 300 mg/kg for 45 days resulted in significant reduction in plasma thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), hydroperoxide and ceruloplasmin and a significant elevation in plasma reduced glutathione (GSH), ascorbic acid (vitamin C) and alpha-tocopherol (vitamin E). The study indicates that C. esculenta root extract at doses of 200 and 300 mg/kg restored all the antioxidant parameters to near normal value.     

Ethanol extract of the mushroom Coprinus comatus exhibits antidiabetic and antioxidant activities in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

ContextEdible mushrooms have a long history of use in traditional Chinese or Japanese medicine. Coprinus comatus (O.F. Müll.) Pers. (Agaricaceae) contains antioxidant and antidiabetic agents.ObjectiveTo identify the benefits of ethanol extracts of the C. comatus fruit body in streptozotocin-induced hyperglycaemic rats by evaluating their blood glucose, glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1c), insulin, glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4), and glutathione (GSH) levels, with and without extract administration.Materials and methodsWistar rats were either left untreated or were administered 45 mg/kg body weight (BW) streptozotocin; 45 mg/kg BW metformin; or 250, 500, or 750 mg/kg BW extract for 14 days. The blood glucose, GLP-1, DPP-4, GSH, insulin, and HbA1c levels were determined. Data were analysed using analysis of variance and Duncan’s multiple range tests.ResultsPreliminary data showed that administration of C. comatus ethanol extract dose of 250, 500, and 750 mg orally has no toxicity effects after 24 h administration. The ethanolic extract of fruiting body of C. comatus considerably reduced the rat’s fasting blood glucose levels 26.69%, and DPP-4 6.97% at dose of 750 mg. The extract reduced HbA1c 4–4.30%, increased GLP-1 71.09%, GSH 11.19% at dose of 500 mg, and increased insulin levels 13.83%. Extracts contain bioactive compounds such as flavonoid, alkaloid, terpenoids, vitamins C and E, rutin, and saponin.ConclusionsThe C. comatus extract can be used as herbal medicine that reduces diabetic symptoms. Further investigation on C. comatus extracts should be conducted with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry to characterise the bioactive compounds.     

Effect of vanadyl sulfate on the status of lipid parameters and on stomach and spleen tissues of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.

Diabetes mellitus is a significant risk factor for cardiovascular complications. Experimental evidence suggests that oxidative stress plays a dominant role in the pathogenesis of diabetes mellitus. This study was undertaken to investigate the effect of vanadyl sulfate on blood glucose, serum and tissue lipid profiles and on stomach and spleen tissues in STZ-induced diabetic rats. In this study, male 6-6.5-month-old Swiss albino rats were used. Rats were randomly divided into four groups. Group I: control animals (normal, nondiabetic animals) (n = 13); Group II: vanadyl sulfate controls (n = 5); Group III: streptozotocin (STZ)-diabetic, untreated animals (n = 11); and Group IV: STZ diabetic animals given vanadyl sulfate (n = 11). Experimental diabetes was induced by intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of STZ in a single dose of 65 mg kg(-1) body weight. Vanadyl sulfate was administered by gavage at a dose of 100 mg kg(-1). The levels of cholesterol, phospholipid, high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-), low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-), very low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (VLDL-), triglycerides and lipid peroxidation (LPO) in serum and cholesterol in liver were assayed according to standard procedures. The levels of lipid peroxidation, glutathione (GSH) and nonenzymatic glycosylation (NEG) in stomach and lipid peroxidation and glutathione (GSH) in spleen tissues were analyzed. After 60 days of treatment, serum cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, triglyceride, phospholipid, VLDL-cholesterol, LPO, blood glucose levels, stomach LPO and NEG, spleen LPO significantly increased, but serum HDL-cholesterol, stomach GSH and spleen GSH levels significantly decreased in the diabetic group. On the other hand, treatment with vanadyl sulfate reversed these effects. These results reveal that diabetes mellitus increased oxidative damage in stomach and spleen tissues and vanadyl sulfate has an ameliorating effect on the oxidative stress via its antioxidant property. The administration of vanadyl sulfate may be able to reduce hyperglycemia and hyperlipidemia related to the risk of diabetes mellitus.     

Comparative anticonvulsant activities of the essential oils (EOs) from Cymbopogon winterianus Jowitt and Cymbopogon citratus (DC) Stapf. in mice

The fresh leaves of Cymbopogon citratus are a good source of an essential oil (EO) rich in citral, and its tea is largely used in the Brazilian folk medicine as a sedative. A similar source of EO is Cymbopogon winterianus, rich in citronellal. The literature presents more studies on the EO of C. citratus and their isolated bioactive components, but only a few are found on the EO of C. winterianus. The objective of the present study was then to study, in a comparative way, the effects of both EOs on three models of convulsions (pentylenetetrazol, pilocarpine, and strychnine) and on the barbiturate-induced sleeping time on male Swiss mice. The animals (20–30 g) were acutely treated with 50, 100, and 200 mg kg⁻¹, intraperitoneally, of each EO, and 30 min later, the test was initiated. The observed parameters were: latency to the first convulsion and latency to death in seconds. Furthermore, the in vitro effects of the EOs were also studied on myeloperoxidase (MPO; a biomarker for inflammation) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH; an index of cytotoxicity) releases from human neutrophils. The EOs radical-scavenging activities were also evaluated by the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay. The results showed that both EOs were more active on the pentylenetetrazol-induced convulsion model, and C. citratus was even more efficient in increasing latency to the first convulsion and latency to death. Both parameters were potentiated in the presence of a lower dose of diazepam (reference drug) when associated to a lower dose of each EO (25 mg kg⁻¹). Besides, their anticonvulsant effects were blocked by flumazenil, a known benzodiazepine antagonist. This effect was somewhat lower on the pilocarpine-induced convulsion, and better effects were seen only with the EOs’ higher doses (200 mg kg⁻¹). A similar result was observed on the strychnine-induced convulsion model. Both EOs potentiated the barbiturate-induced sleeping time. However, C. citratus was more efficient. Interestingly, both EOs completely blocked the MPO release from human neutrophils and showed no cytotoxic effect on the LDH release from human neutrophils. On the other hand, only a very low or no effect on the DPPH assay was observed with C. winterianus and C. citratus, respectively, indicating that the radical scavenging activity did not play a role on the EOs’ effects. We conclude that the mechanism of action of the anticonvulsant effect of the EOs studied is, at least in part, dependent upon the GABAergic neurotransmission. In addition, their effects on inflammatory biomarkers can also contribute to their central nervous system activity.     

Antidiabetic and antioxidant activity of Swietenia mahagoni in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

Context: Swietenia mahagoni L. Jacq. (Meliaceae) is a medium to large evergreen tree native to Southern Florida, Cuba, The Bahamas, Hispaniola, and Jamaica.

Objective: To evaluate the antidiabetic and antioxidant potential of S. mahagoni bark.

Materials and methods: In the present study, the antidiabetic activity of the methanol extract of S. mahagoni (MESM) bark in streptozotocin (STZ; 65?mg/kg body weight)-induced diabetic rats was evaluated. Glibenclamide (0.5?mg/kg; orally) was taken as the reference drug. The blood glucose levels and body weights were measured every 5th day over a period of 15 days. Antioxidant effects were assayed in diabetic rats by estimating thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), glutathione (GSH), and catalase (CAT) levels.

Results and discussion: Oral administration of MESM at the doses of 25 and 50?mg/kg b.w. resulted in a significant (p?<?0.001) reduction in blood glucose levels in diabetic rats. Body weights were significantly (p?<?0.001) reduced in STZ-induced diabetic rats when compared to normal rats, while the extract significantly restored body weight. The present study was further undertaken to evaluate the antioxidant activity of MESM in STZ-induced diabetic rats. Decreased levels of TBARS and increased levels of GSH and CAT activity indicated a reduction in free radical formation in tissues such as the liver and kidney of diabetic rats.

Conclusion: These findings showed the significant hypoglycemic and antioxidant activity of the extract (MESM) in diabetic rats.     

Renoprotective effect of aged garlic extract in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

Objective:

Aged garlic extract (AGE) has been proven to exhibit antioxidant, hypolipidemic, hypoglycemic and antidiabetic properties. However, its effect on diabetic nephropathy was unexplored. Therefore, the present study was designed to investigate the renoprotective effect of AGE in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.

Materials and Methods:

Albino Wistar rats were induced with diabetes by a single intraperitoneal injection of 45 mg/kg b.w. of streptozotocin. Commercially available AGE was supplemented orally at a dose of 500 mg/kg body weight/day. Aminoguanidine, which has been proven to be an anti-glycation agent was used as positive control and was supplemented at a dose of 1 g/L in drinking water. The serum and urinary biochemical parameters were analyzed in all the groups and at the end of 12 weeks follow up, the renal histological examination were performed using H & E and PAS staining.

Results:

The diabetic rats showed a significant change in the urine (P < 0.001) and serum (P < 0.01) constituents such as albumin, creatinine, urea nitrogen and glycated hemoglobin. In addition, the serum lipid profile of the diabetic rats were altered significantly (P < 0.05) compared to that of the control rats. However, the diabetic rats supplemented with aged garlic extract restored all these biochemical changes. The efficacy of the extract was substantiated by the histopathological changes in the kidney.

Conclusion:

From our results, we conclude that aged garlic extract has the ability to ameliorate kidney damage in diabetic rats and the renoprotective effect of AGE may be attributed to its anti-glycation and hypolipidemic activities.KEY WORDS: Aged garlic extract, anti-glycation, diabetes, diabetic nephropathy, hypolipidemic, renoprotective     

Effect of saturated fatty acid-rich dietary vegetable oils on lipid profile, antioxidant enzymes and glucose tolerance in diabetic rats

Objective:

To study the effect of saturated fatty acid (SFA)-rich dietary vegetable oils on the lipid profile, endogenous antioxidant enzymes and glucose tolerance in type 2 diabetic rats.

Materials and Methods:

Type 2 diabetes was induced by administering streptozotocin (90 mg/kg, i.p.) in neonatal rats. Twenty-eight-day-old normal (N) and diabetic (D) male Wistar rats were fed for 45 days with a fat-enriched special diet (10%) prepared with coconut oil (CO) – lauric acid-rich SFA, palm oil (PO) – palmitic acid-rich SFA and groundnut oil (GNO) – control (N and D). Lipid profile, endogenous antioxidant enzymes and oral glucose tolerance tests were monitored.

Results:

D rats fed with CO (D + CO) exhibited a significant decrease in the total cholesterol and non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. Besides, they also showed a trend toward improving antioxidant enzymes and glucose tolerance as compared to the D + GNO group, whereas D + PO treatment aggravated the dyslipidemic condition while causing a significant decrease in the superoxide dismutase levels when compared to N rats fed with GNO (N + GNO). D + PO treatment also impaired the glucose tolerance when compared to N + GNO and D + GNO.

Conclusion:

The type of FA in the dietary oil determines its deleterious or beneficial effects. Lauric acid present in CO may protect against diabetes-induced dyslipidemia.     

Effect of Urena lobataleaves extract on the improvements of lipid profiles on diabetic rats

OBJECTIVE To investigate effect of U.lobataleaves extract on the improvement of lipid profiles on diabetic rats.METHODS This study uses control group post test only with male Sprague dawley rats.Diabetic rats was induced by high fructose diet(HFD)and single dose streptozotocin 25mg·kg-1 bw intra peritoneal.The rat was administrated orally with water extract of U.lobataleaves in dose of 250,500 and 1000mg·kg-1 bw for 4weeks.After scarifying,blood sample was collected and then total cholesterol(TC)serum level,triglyceride(TG),low density lippoprotein(LDL)and high density lipoprotein(HDL)were examined.The data was analyzed using ANOVA test continued with LSD test(P<0.05).RESULTS The supplementation of water extract from U.lobatain dose of 250,500 and 1000mg·kg-1 bw decrease TC serum level approximately 15%,25% and 35% compared to diabetic group(P<0.05),whereas the TG was decreased by 10%,20% and 30%(P<0.05)respectively.The oral administration of U.lobataleaves extract 250,500 and 1000mg·kg-1 bw also were able to decrease LDL serum level about 30%,60% and 90%respectively compared to diabetic group(P<0.05),while the HDL serum level was increased by 40%,80% and 100%(P<0.05)respectively.In diabetic groups,HDL level serum was decreased compared to normal group(P<0.05)while the TC,TG and HDL were increased(P<0.05).CONCLUSION U.lobata leaves extract could repair lipid profiles of diabetic rats by increasing of HDL serum level,decreasing of TC serum level,TG and LDL.This potency may be related to active substances which act as an anti-cholesterolemia and antioxidant in U.lobata extract.     

Ethanol extract of Butea monosperma bark modulates dyslipidemia in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

Context: Dyslipidemia is one of the major risk factors for cardiovascular disease in diabetes mellitus (DM). The availability of multiple lipid-lowering drugs and supplements provides new opportunities for patients to regulate lipid levels.

Objective: The present study was designed to evaluate the effect of Butea monosperma Lam. (Fabaceae) bark extract in diabetes-induced dyslipidemia.

Materials and methods: A daily dose of B. monosperma bark extract (BMBE, 500?mg/kg body weight) was given orally to streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats for 60?d. Several indices such as blood glucose, insulin, glycosylated hemoglobin, TC, TG, high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C), apo A1, apo B, activities of lipogenic enzymes in tissues, liver function tests, and histopathology of liver were analyzed to assess the modulation of STZ-induced diabetic dyslipidemia by B. monosperma bark.

Results: BMBE significantly reduced blood glucose (40.79%) and increased plasma insulin (37.5%) levels in diabetic rats. Altered levels of serum lipids, lipoproteins, and activities of lipogenic enzymes in tissues were partially restored upon the administration of BMBE in diabetic rats. Liver function tests and histopathological examination revealed that consumption of BMBE at a dose of 500?mg/kg body weight had no toxic effects in experimental rats.

Conclusion: The findings suggest that BMBE supplementation could ameliorate dyslipidemia in DM.     

Beneficial effects of aloe vera leaf gel extract on lipid profile status in rats with streptozotocin diabetes

The effect of diabetes mellitus on lipid metabolism is well established. The association of hyperglycaemia with an alteration of lipid parameters presents a major risk for cardiovascular complications in diabetes. Many secondary plant metabolites have been reported to possess lipid-lowering properties. The present study was designed to examine the potential anti-hyperlipidaemic efficacy of the ethanolic extract from Aloe vera leaf gel in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. 2. Oral administration of Aloe vera gel extract at a dose of 300 mg/kg bodyweight per day to STZ-induced diabetic rats for a period of 21 days resulted in a significant reduction in fasting blood glucose, hepatic transaminases (aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase), plasma and tissue (liver and kidney) cholesterol, triglycerides, free fatty acids and phospholipids and a significant improvement in plasma insulin. 3. In addition, the decreased plasma levels of high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol and increased plasma levels of low-density lipoprotein-and very low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol in diabetic rats were restored to near normal levels following treatment with the extract. 4. The fatty acid composition of the liver and kidney was analysed by gas chromatography. The altered fatty acid composition in the liver and kidney of diabetic rats was restored following treatment with the extract. 5. Thus, the results of the present study provide a scientific rationale for the use of Aloe vera as an antidiabetic agent.     

罗布麻提取物对STZ糖尿病大鼠肾损害的防护作用

本文探讨了罗布麻提取物 (AV) 对STZ大鼠糖尿病肾脏损害的防护作用及部分作用机制。采用链脲佐菌素 (STZ) 诱导大鼠糖尿病模型方法, 观察8周时大鼠血糖、肾功能、氧化应激等指标以及经AV治疗后的变化。结果显示, 糖尿病大鼠的血糖、血尿素氮、24 h尿蛋白含量、尿量、肾脏肥大指数、肾皮质MDA含量显著升高; 肾皮质SOD、GSH活性显著降低。AV干预治疗组的上述指标得到改善, 具有显著性差异。实验结果表明, AV对STZ大鼠糖尿病肾功能有明显的防护作用, 其作用可能与抑制肾脏氧化应激作用有关。     

Alteration of lipid peroxide and endogenous antioxidant contents in retina of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats: effect of vitamin A administration

Possible involvement of lipid peroxide (LPO) in the occurrence of diabetic retinal lesion was investigated using streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Young male Wistar rats weighing 100-150 g were made diabetic by daily intraperitoneal injection of 30 mg/kg streptozotocin (STZ) for 5 days. Five weeks after the termination of STZ-treatment, when animals maintained typical hyperglycemia, the tissue level of LPO, estimated by the thiobarbituric acid method in the presence of 0.5 mM EDTA, was found to be augmented in the kidney. At 7 to 9 weeks after the STZ-treatment, the content of LPO in the retina also exhibited a significant increase, while those in the serum, brain and peripheral nerves showed no alteration. This increment of LPO in the kidney and retina was accompanied by the concomitant reduction of fat-soluble antioxidants determined by the ferric chloride-bipyridyl reaction, and insulin treatment (10 u/rat/day, s.c.) completely eliminated the increased formation of LPO in these organs. When diabetic rats were treated with retinol acetate, which had an inhibitory effect on LPO formation in retinal homogenate, the increase in LPO content was found to be significantly suppressed, especially in the retina. These results suggest that the STZ-induced diabetic state may elicit an increased formation of LPO in the retina and kidney, both of which are known to be main organs having typical diabetic lesions.     

The pyridoindole antioxidant stobadine attenuates albuminuria,enzymuria, kidney lipid peroxidation and matrix collagen cross-linking in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of dietary supplementation with the pyridoindole antioxidant stobadine on kidney status and function in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Diabetic male Wistar rats were fed a standard diet for 32 weeks or a diet supplemented with stobadine (0.05% w/w). The diabetic state was characterized by significantly elevated plasma levels of glucose, HbA1c and urea, severe reduction of total body weight and relatively enlarged kidneys. Elevated levels of conjugated dienes were recorded in the diabetic kidney confirming the presence of oxidative stress in diabetic animals. All diabetic rats showed marked proteinuria and albuminuria along with elevated excretion of the enzyme N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase. Long-term treatment of diabetic animals with stobadine significantly reduced total proteinuria, albuminuria and enzymuria, yet left the overall physical and glycemic status unaffected. It reduced oxidative damage of kidney tissue as shown by decreased conjugated diene level, and decreased matrix collagen cross-linking, as indicated by decreased breaking time values of rat tail tendons. These beneficial effects of stobadine, supported also by histological findings, may be brought about by virtue of the combination of its antioxidant potential with other effects, e.g., the postulated cholesterol-lowering ability or its ability to alter vascular reactivity and reduce the vascular tone.     

Antioxidant potential of Cymbopogon citratus extract: alleviation of carbon tetrachloride-induced hepatic oxidative stress and toxicity

This study was aimed to evaluate the effect of Cymbopogon citratus against carbon tetrachloride (CCl(4))-mediated hepatic oxidative damage in rats. Rats were administrated with C. citratus extract (100, 200 and 300 mg/kg b.w.) for 14 days before the challenge of CCl(4) (1.2 ml/kg b.w. p.o) on 13th and 14th days. Hepatic damage was evaluated by employing serum biochemical parameters (alanine aminotransferase-ALT, aspartate aminotransferase-AST and lactate dehydrogenase-LDH), malondialdehye (MDA) level, reduced GSH and antioxidant enzymes (catalase: CAT, glutathione peroxidase: GPX, quinone reductase: QR, glutathione S-transferase: GST, glutathione reductase: GR, glucose-6-phosphate dehyrogenase: G6PD). In addition, CCl(4)-mediated hepatic damage was further evaluated by histopathological examination. However, most of these changes were alleviated by prophylactic treatment of animals with C. citratus dose dependently (p < 0.05). The protection was further evident through decreased histopathological alterations in liver. The results of the present study indicated that the hepatoprotective effect of C. citratus might be ascribable to its antioxidant and free radical scavenging property.