Effect of squalene on tissue defense system in isoproterenol-induced myocardial infarction in rats.

This study was designed to examine the effects of squalene on tissue antioxidant status in isoproterenol-induced myocardial infarction in male albino rats. Levels of diagnostic marker enzymes [alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and creatine phosphokinase (CPK)] in plasma, lipid peroxides, reduced glutathione, and the activities of glutathione-dependent antioxidant enzymes [glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and glutathione-S-transferase (GST)] and antiperoxidative enzymes [catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD)] in the heart tissue of experimental groups of rats were determined. The prior administration of squalene at 2% level along with feed for 45 days significantly prevented the isoproterenol-induced elevation in the levels of diagnostic marker enzymes in plasma of experimental rats. Squalene also exerted an antioxidant effect against isoproterenol-induced myocardial infarction by blocking the induction of lipid peroxidation. A tendency to prevent the isoproterenol-induced alterations in the level of reduced glutathione and in the activities of glutathione-dependent antioxidant enzymes and antiperoxidative enzymes was also observed. The cardioprotective effect of squalene might be ascribable to its antioxidant property and membrane stabilizing action.     

Effect of alpha-tocopherol on lipid peroxidation in isoproterenol induced myocardial infarction in rats

The effect of alpha-tocopherol pretreatment on lipid peroxidation and antioxidant status in isoproterenol induced myocardial infarction was studied in rats. Isoproterenol administered rats showed a significant increase in lipid peroxides in serum, heart and aorta. A significant increase in serum iron level with a significant decrease in iron binding capacity was also observed. The levels of antioxidants such as ceruloplasmin, glutathione and the activities of antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase and glutathione-S-transferase decreased significantly in isoproterenol administered rats when compared to control. The activity of Na+K+ATPase decreased significantly and the activity of Ca2+ATPase increased significantly in heart and aorta of isoproterenol administered rats. alpha-tocopherol pretreated rats maintained the levels of antioxidants, membrane bound enzymes and activities of antioxidant enzymes near normal, on isoproterenol administration, thus establishing its effect as an antioxidant.     

Preventive effect of rutin, a bioflavonoid, on lipid peroxides and antioxidants in isoproterenol-induced myocardial infarction in rats

The consumption of diets rich in plant foods is associated with a reduced risk of cardiovascular diseases. This study aimed to evaluate the preventive role of rutin on lipid peroxides and antioxidants in normal and isoproterenol-induced myocardial infarction in rats. Subcutaneous injection of isoproterenol (150 mg kg(-1)) to male Wistar rats at an interval of 24 h for two days showed a significant increase in the activity of serum cardiac marker enzymes (creatine kinase, lactate dehydrogenase, aspartate transaminase and alanine transaminase) and a significant decrease in the activity of these enzymes in the heart. Lipid peroxidative products (thiobarbituricacid reactive substances and lipid hydroperoxides) were significantly increased and enzymic (superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase) and non-enzymic (reduced glutathione and vitamin C) antioxidants showed a significant decrease in isoproterenol-treated rats. Pretreatment with rutin (40 or 80 mg kg(-1)) to isoproterenol-treated rats orally for a period of 42 days daily caused a significant effect. Administration of rutin to normal rats did not have any significant effect on any of the parameters studied. The results of our study show that rutin possesses antioxidant activity in isoproterenol-induced experimental myocardial infarction.     

Preventive effect of naringin on lipid peroxides and antioxidants in isoproterenol-induced cardiotoxicity in Wistar rats: biochemical and histopathological evidences

This study was designed to evaluate the cardioprotective potential of naringin on lipid peroxides, enzymatic and nonenzymatic antioxidants and histopathological findings in isoproterenol (ISO)-induced myocardial infarction (MI) in rats. Subcutaneous injection of ISO (85 mg/kg) to male Wistar rats showed a significant increase in the levels of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances and lipid hydroperoxides in plasma and the heart and a significant decrease in the activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase and glutathione-S-transferase in the heart and the levels of reduced glutathione, vitamin C and vitamin E in plasma and heart and ceruloplasmin in plasma. Oral administration of naringin (10, 20 and 40 mg/kg, respectively) to ISO-induced rats daily for a period of 56 days showed a significant decrease in the levels of lipid peroxidative products and improved the antioxidant status by increasing the activities of antioxidant enzymes and nonenzymatic antioxidants. Histopathological findings of the myocardial tissue showed the protective role of naringin in ISO-induced rats. The effect at a dose of 40 mg/kg of naringin was more pronounced than that of the other two doses, 10 and 20mg/kg. The results of our study show that naringin possess anti-lipoperoxidative and antioxidant activity in experimentally induced cardiac toxicity.     

Cardioprotective effect of sulphonated formononetin on acute myocardial infarction in rats

This study was designed to investigate the therapeutic effect of sodium formononetin-3'-sulphonate (Sul-F), a water-soluble derivate of formononetin, on acute myocardial infarction in rats. The results showed that treatment with Sul-F significantly prevented the elevation of ST-segment level, decreased the contents of creatine kinase-MB, lactate dehydrogenase, alanine aminotransferase and cardiac troponin T in serum and reduced the myocardium necrosis scores. The number of apoptosis cardiocytes is well accordance with the up-regulated expression of Bcl-2 and the down-regulated expression of Bax. Meanwhile, Sul-F significantly increased the cardiac mitochondrial ATP content, improved ATP synthase activity, decreased thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances content and attenuated the decrease in superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase activities. These findings indicate that Sul-F has a protective potential against myocardial infarction injury. A possible mechanism for the protective effect is the elevated expression of endogenous antioxidant defence enzymes degraded lipid peroxidation products and improved energy metholism of cardiac mitochondrial, thus attenuating cardiocyte apoptosis.     

Protective effects of taurine on glutathione and glutathione-dependent enzymes in ethanol-fed rats

Ethanol, by its property of generating free radicals during the course of its metabolism, alters redox homeostasis and causes damage to cell structure and function. This study investigated the effect of taurine on ethanol-induced experimental toxicity in rats. Ethanol was administered chronically to rats for 28 days. This resulted in significant increases in the activities of transaminases, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) and bilirubin in plasma. The activities of glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione-S-transferase (GST) and the contents of glutathione (GSH) and thiols in plasma and tissues were significantly reduced as compared to control animals. Simultaneous administration of taurine along with ethanol prevented the leakage of enzymes into circulation and restored glutathione and tissue thiols. The activities of antioxidant enzymes were normalized. We propose that taurine may have a bioprotective effect on ethanol-induced toxicity.     

Effect of the novel taurine derivative on various parameters of metabolism on experimental myocardial infarction

The effects of TAU-5, a new N-phenylalkyl derivative of taurine, on the metabolic changes in heart were studied in rats with experimental myocardial infarction. The new drug exhibits a pronounced antiischemic effect related to recovery of the activity of enzymes involved in the energy exchange, decrease in the rate of lipid peroxidation, and normalization of the function of enzymes responsible for the antioxidant activity. The results of the pathomorphologic analysis and data on the state of cardiac metabolism showed that the antiischemic effect of TAU-5 is comparable with that of neoton.     

Preventive effect of S-allylcysteine on lipid peroxides and antioxidants in normal and isoproterenol-induced cardiotoxicity in rats: a histopathological study

The consumption of diets rich in plant foods are associated with a reduced risk of cardiovascular diseases. This study was aimed to evaluate the role of S-allylcysteine (SAC) in isoproterenol (ISO)-induced myocardial infarction (MI) in rats. Subcutaneous injection of ISO (150 mg/kg) to Wistar rats showed a significant decrease in the activities of marker enzymes such as creatine kinase, lactate dehydrogenase, aspartate and alanine transaminases in heart and a significant increase in the levels of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances and lipid hydroperoxides in plasma and heart. ISO-induced rats also showed a significant decrease in the activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase and glutathione S-transferase in heart and the levels of glutathione and ascorbic acid in plasma and heart. Oral administration of SAC (100 and 150 mg/kg) to ISO-treated rats daily for a period of 45 days caused a significant increase in the activities of marker enzymes and improved the antioxidant status by decreasing lipid peroxidative products and increasing the activities of antioxidant enzymes and the levels of nonenzyomic antioxidants. Administration of SAC to normal rats did not show any significant effect. Histopathological findings of the myocardial tissue showed a protective role of SAC in ISO-treated rats. The effect at a dose of 150 mg/kg of SAC was more pronounced than that of the dose 100mg/kg and brought back all the parameters to near normal. The effect exerted by 100 mg/kg of SAC was similar to that of alpha-tocopherol (60 mg/kg). The results of our study show that SAC possesses antioxidant activity in ISO-induced experimental MI.     

Beneficial Antioxidative and Antiperoxidative Effect of Cinnamaldehyde Protect Streptozotocin-Induced Pancreatic β-Cells Damage in Wistar Rats

The present study was aimed to evaluate the antioxidant defense system of cinnamaldehyde in normal, diabetic rats and its possible protection of pancreatic β-cells against its gradual loss under diabetic conditions. In vitro free radical scavenging effect of cinnamaldehyde was determined using DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-dipicrylhydrazyl), superoxide radical, and nitric oxide radical. Streptozotocin (STZ) diabetic rats were orally administered with cinnamaldehyde at concentrations of 5, 10 and 20 mg/kg body weight for 45 days. At the end of the experiment, the levels of plasma lipid peroxides and antioxidants such as vitamin C, vitamin E, ceruloplasmin, catalase, superoxide dismutase, reduced glutathione and glutathione peroxidase were determined. A significant increase in the levels of plasma glucose, vitamin E, ceruloplasmin, and lipid peroxides and significant decrease in the levels of plasma insulin and reduced glutathione were observed in the diabetic rats. Also the activities of pancreatic antioxidant enzymes were altered in the STZ-induced diabetic rats. The altered enzyme activities were reverted to near-normal levels after treatment with cinnamaldehyde and glibenclamide. Histopathological studies also revealed a protective effect of cinnamaldehyde on pancreatic β-cells. Cinnamaldehyde enhances the antioxidant defense against reactive oxygen species produced under hyperglycemic conditions and thus protects pancreatic β-cells against their loss and exhibits antidiabetic properties.     

Protective effect of 1-(2,6-dimethylphenoxy)-2-(3,4-dimethoxyphenylethylamino) propane hydrochloride on myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats

The aim of the present study was to investigate the protective effect of 1-(2,6-dimethylphenoxy)-2-(3,4-dimethoxyphenylethylamino) propane hydrochloride (DDPH) on myocardial ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury in rats and the mechanism of its myocardial protection. For this purpose, 50 Wistar rats were divided into five groups: sham group, control group, verapamil treated group, and two DDPH treated groups (20 and 40 mg/kg, respectively). Myocardial I/R injury model was established by reperfusion for 120 min after 40 min ischemia induced by the ligation of left descending coronary artery in rats. The influence of DDPH on myocardial infarction size was observed and the levels of myocardial enzymes in serum were measured. The activities of oxygen free radical scavenging enzymes and the content of malondialdehyde (MDA) in myocardium and serum were determined. The pathological changes of myocardial tissue were observed. The results showed that DDPH significantly diminished myocardial infarction size, reduced the release of myocardial creatine phosphokinase (CPK), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and glutamic oxaloacetic aminotransferase (GOT), protected the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), and decreased the content of MDA in myocardium and serum as compared with the control group. The degree of myocardial injury was slighter in DDPH treated groups than in control group. These results suggest that DDPH produces a cardioprotective effect during myocardial I/R injury, which may be related to blocking calcium channels and inhibiting the formation of the oxygen free radical and subsequent peroxidation of lipid by DDPH.     

牛磺酸对大鼠心肌缺血再灌注损伤的保护作用

目的 探讨牛磺酸对大鼠心肌缺血再灌注损伤的保护作用及其机理。方法 采用在体大鼠冠脉结扎后再通的方法,观察牛磺酸对大鼠心肌缺血再灌注后心肌梗塞的范围,血清和心肌中SOD活性、MDA和NO含量的影响。结果 牛磺酸可明显减少大鼠心肌缺血再灌注的心肌梗塞范围（P＜0．05,0．01）,提高大鼠心肌缺血再灌注后血清和心肌中的SOD活性（P＜0．01）,降低心肌和血清中MDA和NO含量（P＜0．05,0．01）。结论 牛磺酸对大鼠心肌缺血再灌注损伤具有保护作用,可能与其提高血清和心肌组织中SOD活性、降低MDA和NO含量有关。     

Cardioprotective effect of glycyram in myocardial damage induced by isadrine

Experiments on rats with isadrine induced myocardial disorder showed that glycyrram reduces the extent of myocardial inflammatory edema, inhibits an increase in the level of marker enzymes (creatine kinase, lactate dehydrogenade, asparatate aminotransferase) in the blood serum, prevents a decrease in the myocardial glycogen and an increase in the total lipids, inhibits increase in the lipid peroxidation and decrease in the antioxidant activity in the blood, and improves the ECG characteristics. These data suggest that glycyrram is a promising agent for the treatment of cardiac disorders accompanied by inflammatory and necrotic changes in myocardium, including myocarditis and myocardial infarction.     

(−)Epigallocatechin-gallate (EGCG) prevents mitochondrial damage in isoproterenol-induced cardiac toxicity in albino Wistar rats: A transmission electron microscopic and in vitro study

Altered mitochondrial function and free radical-mediated tissue damage have been suggested as important pathological events in isoproterenol (ISO)-induced cardiotoxicity. This study was undertaken to know the preventive effect of (-)epigallocatechin-gallate (EGCG) on mitochondrial damage in ISO-induced cardiotoxicity in male Wistar rats. Rats were pretreated with EGCG (30 mg/kg) orally using an intragastric tube daily for a period of 21 days. After that, ISO (100mg/kg) was subcutaneously injected to rats at intervals of 24h for 2 days. ISO-induced rats showed significant increase in mitochondrial lipid peroxidation products (thiobarbituric acid reactive substances and lipid hydroperoxides) and significant decrease in mitochondrial antioxidants (superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione-S-transferase, glutathione reductase and reduced glutathione). Also, significantly decreased activities of tricarboxylic acid cycle enzymes such as isocitrate, succinate, malate and alpha-ketoglutarate dehydrogenases and respiratory chain marker enzymes such as NADH-dehydrogenase and cytochrome-c-oxidase were observed in mitochondrial heart of myocardial infarcted rats. Prior treatment with EGCG (30mg/kg body weight) significantly prevented these alterations and restored normal mitochondrial function. Transmission electron microscopic findings also correlated with these biochemical parameters. In vitro studies on the effect of EGCG on scavenging 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), 2,2'-azinobis-(3-ethyl-benzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS(+)), superoxide anion (O(-)), and hydroxyl (OH) radicals also confirmed the free radical scavenging and antioxidant activity of EGCG. Thus, the observed effects are due to the free radical scavenging and antioxidant potential of EGCG. Thus, this study confirmed the preventive effect of EGCG on isoproterenol-induced mitochondrial damage in experimentally induced myocardial infarction in Wistar rats.     

原花青素对大鼠心肌缺血再灌注损伤的保护作用

目的：观察原花青素（procyanidin,PC）对大鼠心肌缺血再灌注损伤的保护作用，方法：结扎大鼠冠状动脉左前降支（LAD）40min，复灌120min后复制出大鼠心肌缺血再灌注损伤模型，观察PC对大鼠心肌酶学，心梗面积和脂质过氧化的影响。结果：PC能减少心肌细胞磷酸肌酶激酶（CPK）和乳酸脱氢酶（LDH）的释放，明显缩小心肌梗死面积，能显提高大鼠血清和心肌组织中超氧化物歧化酶（SOD）活性，降低心肌和血清脂质过氧化代谢产物丙二醛（MDA）含量，结论：PC对大鼠心肌缺血再灌注损伤有保护作用，其机制可能与清除自由基，抑制脂质过氧化反应有关。     

Fungal metabolite nigerloxin ameliorates diabetic nephropathy and gentamicin-induced renal oxidative stress in experimental rats

Elevated polyol pathway enzyme activities and oxidative stress play an important role in the development and progression of diabetic nephropathy. Here, we investigated the beneficial influence of nigerloxin, a fungal metabolite and a potent aldose reductase inhibitor and free radical scavenger in the kidney of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. A group of diabetic rats was orally administered with nigerloxin for 30 days (100 mg/kg). Diabetic rats showed increased lipid peroxides, advanced glycation end products (AGEs), elevated activities of polyol pathway enzymes, and lowered antioxidant defense system in kidney. Administration of nigerloxin decreased kidney lipid peroxides and AGEs. Activities of polyol pathway enzymes were reduced while activities of all antioxidant enzymes, glutathione, and ascorbic acid were elevated in the kidney of nigerloxin-treated diabetic rats. We also investigated antioxidant potential of nigerloxin in gentamicin-induced nephrotoxicity in Wistar rats. Groups of rats were orally administered with nigerloxin for 8 days (25 mg or 100 mg kg^?1 body weight day^?1) along with gentamicin (80 mg/kg, i.p., for 8 days). Gentamicin induced increase in lipid peroxides, decrease in glutathione and activities of antioxidant enzymes in the kidney, and increase in blood creatinine, and urea concentrations were significantly countered by nigerloxin treatment. Thus, the results indicated the beneficial influence of nigerloxin on polyol pathway and oxidative stress associated with diabetes, which are implicated in ameliorating the development of diabetic nephropathy. Nigerloxin also ameliorated oxidative stress induced by gentamicin in the renal tissue.     

Modulatory effect of fish oil on the myocardial antioxidant defense system in isoproterenol-induced myocardial infarction

The effect of fish oil treatment on the activities of antioxidants such as superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione-s-transferase, and glutathione, as well as the level of the lipid peroxidation marker thiobarbituric reactive substance was studied in isoproterenol-induced myocardial infarction (MI). To confirm the induction of MI by isoproterenol, we studied the activities of cardiac marker enzymes like creatinine kinase and lactate dehydrogenase and the level of troponin. The biochemical lesions due to the activation of lipid peroxidation and decrease in antioxidant status are significantly implicated in experimental isoproterenol-induced MI. The results indicate that the protective effect of fish oil is achieved by decreasing the peroxide concentration and normalizing antioxidant defense enzymes.     

Protective effect of olive oil and colocynth oil against cadmium-induced oxidative stress in the liver of Wistar rats

Cadmium (Cd) is one of the most common heavy metal pollutants. It is accumulated particularly in liver and kidney. The present study examined the possible protective effect of olive oil and colocynth oil consumption against Cd-induced damage on plasma lipids and stress biochemical parameters of rats. Male albino Wistar rats were randomly divided into 6 groups of 5 animals each and treated orally with Cd (50 mg/l), olive oil and colocynth oil (4%) alone or in combination with cadmium for 8 weeks. It was shown that Cd exposure induced significant increases in the activities of serum alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, lipid peroxidation levels (MDA) and protein carbonyl contents in exposed groups of rats compared to control group while the antioxidant enzymes, reduced glutathione and vitamins (C, A and E) were significantly decreased. Co-treatment with olive oil or colocynth oil significantly improved the oxidative damage induced by Cd. The antioxidant potential in plasma and liver were markedly restored with a significant decline in MDA levels and activity of transaminases.In conclusion, these results suggest that olive oil or colocynth oil consumption could protect the rat liver against Cd-induced injury by increasing the activities of antioxidant enzymes and reducing oxidative stress.     

Decreased glutathione levels and altered antioxidant defense in an animal model of schizophrenia: Long-term effects of perinatal phencyclidine administration

Perinatal phencyclidine (PCP) administration to rodents represents one of the more compelling animal models of schizophrenia. There is evidence that decreased glutathione (GSH) levels and oxidative stress mediated through free radicals in the central nervous system are involved in the pathophysiology of this disease. Limited data are available on the role of free radicals in neurotoxicity induced by NMDA-receptor antagonists. The aim of this study was to elucidate the long-term effects of perinatal phencyclidine administration on superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), γ-glutamyl cisteine ligase (γ-GCL), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione reductase (GR) and levels of lipid peroxides as well as GSH content.The Wistar rats were treated on the 2nd, 6th, 9th and 12th postnatal (PN) days with either phencyclidine (10 mg/kg) or saline and sacrificed on PN70. The activities of antioxidant enzymes and level of lipid peroxides and GSH were determined in dorsolateral frontal cortex (dlFC), hippocampus, thalamus and caudate nucleus. Expression of SOD1 and SOD2 was determined by immunoblot.Region-specific changes of the measured parameters were observed. Decreased content of reduced GSH and altered activities of GR, GPx and SOD were determined in dlFC. In hippocampus, reduced GSH content and decreased activities of GPx and GR were accompanied with increased activity of γ-GCL and increased level of lipid peroxides. γ-GCL and GSH content were also decreased in caudate nucleus, while in thalamus major findings are increased levels of lipid peroxides and GR activity and decreased γ-GCL activity.It can be concluded that perinatal PCP administration produces long-term alteration of antioxidant defense. Further studies are necessary in order to clarify role of redox dysregulation in the pathogenetic mechanism of schizophrenia.     

A biochemical, electrocardiographic, electrophoretic, histopathological and in vitro study on the protective effects of (-)epicatechin in isoproterenol-induced myocardial infarcted rats

(-) Epicatechin rich foods and (-) epicatechin improve cardiovascular function. Consumption of diets rich in flavonoids is associated with reduced risk of cardiovascular diseases. Oxidative stress resulting from increased production of free radicals associated with decreased levels of antioxidants in the myocardium plays a major role in the pathogenesis of myocardial infarction. This study aims to evaluate the preventive effects of (-) epicatechin on oxidative stress in isoproterenol-induced myocardial infarcted rats. Male Wistar rats were pretreated with (-) epicatechin (20mg/kg body weight) daily for 21 days. After pretreatment, isoproterenol (100mg/kg body weight) was injected into the rats at an interval of 24h for two days to induce myocardial infarction. Isoproterenol induced rat's electrocardiogram showed elevated ST segments and significant increase in the activity of serum creatine kinase-MB, level of serum troponin-T and increased intensities of serum lactate dehydrogenase 1 and 2-isoenzymes. The rats also showed significant increased levels of heart lipid peroxidation products and significant decreased activities of heart superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase and levels of reduced glutathione. Pretreatment with (-) epicatechin revealed significant protective effects on all the biochemical parameters and electrocardiogram investigated. Histopathology of myocardium confirmed the present findings. The in vitro study on the effects of (-) epicatechin on scavenging free radical 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl revealed the free radical scavenging potential of (-) epicatechin. Thus, (-) epicatechin exerts protective effects against isoproterenol-induced oxidative stress thereby reducing cardiac tissue damage by its free radical scavenging and antioxidant effects.     

Antidiabetogenic action of Morus rubra L. leaf extract in streptozotocin‐induced diabetic rats

Objectives Researchers all over the world are exploring herbal supplements to control diabetes and its complications. This study evaluated the antidiabetic action of Morus rubra L. aqueous leaf extract through its effect on hyperglycaemia, dyslipidaemia and oxidative stress in streptozotocin‐induced diabetic rats. Methods The extract was orally administered to diabetic rats (100, 200 and 400 mg/kg body weight) daily for 21 days. Fasting blood glucose was measured on days 0, 7, 14 and 21. At the end of the experiment, blood samples were drawn to measure glucose tolerance, glycosylated haemoglobin, insulin, C‐peptide and lipid parameters. Antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase and catalase), reduced glutathione and lipid peroxides were determined in blood and liver tissue. Histopathological examination of pancreatic tissue was also performed. Key findings The extract showed a dose‐dependent fall in fasting blood glucose. Treatment with 400 mg/kg extract produced a significant reduction in glycosylated haemoglobin with a concomitant elevation in plasma insulin and C‐peptide levels. The altered serum lipids in diabetic rats were significantly restored following treatment with the extract. In erythrocytes, as well as liver, the activity of antioxidant enzymes and content of reduced glutathione were found to be significantly enhanced, while levels of serum and hepatic lipid peroxides were suppressed in extract‐fed diabetic rats. Histopathological examination of pancreatic tissue revealed an increased number of islets and β‐cells in extract‐treated diabetic rats. Conclusions M. rubra aqueous leaf extract leads to control over hyperglycaemia and dyslipidaemia. The study also demonstrates its antioxidant nature, and hence it may be protective against diabetic complications.