Section Review—Oncologic,Endocrine & Metabolic: Potential Use of Vanadium Compounds in the Treatment of Diabetes Mellitus

Vanadium is a trace element of ubiquitous occurrence. Vanadium compounds have been shown to exert a variety of insulin-like effects both in vitro and in vivo. These effects include their ability to lower hyperglycaemia in animal models of type I, insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM), and type II, non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM). Vanadium therapy also corrects several metabolic abnormalities associated with the diabetic state. Preliminary studies in human diabetic subjects have shown an improved insulin sensitivity in NIDDM and in some IDDM subjects. Thus, vanadium compounds, either alone or in combination with other agents, have the potential to serve as antidiabetic agents.     

Effects of the hydroalcoholic extract of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Phyllanthus niruri</Emphasis> and its isolated compounds on cyclophosphamide-induced hemorrhagic cystitis in mouse

The effects of Phyllanthus niruri hydroalcoholic extract and the isolated compounds quercetin, rutin, and gallic acid were examined in the mouse model of cyclophosphamide (CYP)-induced hemorrhagic cystitis (HC). HC was induced by a single CYP injection (300 mg/kg, IP), and the animals were evaluated 4 and 6 h after. Some animals were orally treated with the reference compound 2-mercaptoethane sodium sulfonate (Mesna) 80 mg/kg (30 min before CYP) and 160 mg/kg (2 h after CYP). Other groups were treated with P. niruri extract (30 and 50 mg/kg), or quercetin, rutin, and gallic acid (10 and 20 mg/kg), given orally, at the same intervals described for Mesna. P. niruri extract and its active components produced a significant attenuation of the nociception, edema, and hemorrhage evoked by CYP, which was similar to that seen for Mesna. Gallic acid and rutin displayed greater anti-inflammatory effects, whereas quercetin presented superior antinociceptive activities. Noteworthy is that P. niruri extract and compounds significantly reduced CYP-induced liver lipid peroxidation. Our results shed new light on the beneficial effects of P. niruri extract and its active compounds in attenuating the collateral effects elicited by the chemotherapeutic agent CYP.     

Hepatoprotective potential of Phyllanthus muellarianus leaf extract: studies on hepatic,oxidative stress and inflammatory biomarkers

Context: Leaves of Phyllanthus muellarianus (Kuntze) Exell. (Euphorbiacea) are widely used in the management of liver disorders in Nigeria. However, no there is no scientific validation to support this use.

Objective: Hepatoprotective effect of Phyllanthus muellarianus aqueous leaf extract was investigated in acetaminophen-induced liver injury mice.

Materials and methods: Hepatoprotective effect of Phyllanthus muellarianus aqueous leaf extract was evaluated in acetaminophen-induced hepatic damage in Swiss albino mice using biomarkers of hepatocellular indices, oxidative stress, proinflammatory factors and lipid peroxidation. Mice received distilled water, 100, 200, or 400?mg/kg b.w of Phyllanthus muellarianus aqueous leaf extract, respectively, for seven days. Treatment groups were challenged with 300?mg/kg b.w of acetaminophen on the sixth day.

Results: Oral administration of Phyllanthus muellarianus aqueous leaf extract significantly (p?Phyllanthus muellarianus aqueous leaf extract.

Conclusion: Overall, results of this study show that Phyllanthus muellarianus halted acetaminophen-mediated hepatotoxicity due to its capability to enhance antioxidant enzymes.     

Antidiabetic,antilipidemic, and antioxidant activities of Gouania longipetala methanol leaf extract in alloxan-induced diabetic rats

Abstract

Context: Gouania longipetala Hemsl. (Rhamnaceae) is used in folkloric medicine for treating diabetes mellitus and its associated symptoms.

Objective: This study evaluated the antidiabetic antilipidemic and antioxidant activities of the plant methanol leaf extract.

Materials and methods: Diabetes was induced in rats by intraperitoneal injection of alloxan monohydrate (160?mg/kg). Three test doses (50, 100, and 150?mg/kg) of G. longipetala extract (GLE) were administered orally and the effects were compared with glibenclamide (2?mg/kg). The effect of GLE on hyperglycemia and sub-acute study for 21?d were carried out using its effect on fasting blood sugar (FBS) level. Serum biochemistry and antioxidant activity were evaluated. Histopathological evaluation of the pancreas was also done.

Results: The LD₅₀ of G. longipetala was found to be >4000?mg/kg. The extract significantly (p?<?0.0001) decreased the FBS levels of treated rats from 16.2?±?2.03 to 6.5?±?1.52?mM/L at 150?mg/kg within 24?h. The extract decreased FBS levels of rats by 62.0, 74.8, and 75.0% on day 21 at 50, 100, and 150?mg/kg, respectively. GLE reduced the level of malondiadehyde from 23.0?±?1.34?to 10.3?±?0.43?mg/dL, increased superoxide dismutase activities from 2.97?±?0.34 to 5.80?±?0.53?IU/L at 150?mg/kg, and improved the serum lipid profile of treated rats. GLE also caused restoration of the altered histopathological changes of the pancreas.

Discussion and conclusion: Gouania longipetala demonstrated significant antidiabetic, antilipidemic, and antioxidant activities that may be due to its multiple effects involving both pancreatic and extra-pancreatic mechanisms.     

同属易混品种叶下珠与珠子草的性状显微鉴别

目的:研究大戟科叶下珠属两种药用植物叶下珠和珠子草的形态学和显微结构,为叶下珠和珠子草全草的质量评价和鉴别提供科学依据。方法:通过体式显微和光学显微技术对两种药材的性状、茎、叶横切面、粉末特征等进行比较。结果:叶下珠枝具翅状纵棱,上部被一纵列短柔毛;叶片近边缘或边缘有1～3列短粗毛;雄花萼片6;蒴果直径1.5～4 mm,表面有鳞状凸起物或小突刺,及6条略凹纵线;果柄极短;茎横切面有疣状凸起。珠子草枝不具翅状纵棱,全株无毛;雄花萼片5;蒴果直径1～1.5 mm,表面平滑无毛;果柄短。结论:从上述外观形态特征可对叶下珠和珠子草进行区分,有效地控制药材混用情况。     

Acetylator phenotypes of Jordanian diabetics

The acetylator phenotype was determined in 31 insulin-dependent (IDDM) and 110 noninsulin-dependent (NIDDM) Jordanian diabetics, and was compared to that of 160 healthy volunteers of the same ethnic group. Dapsone was used as the test drug. The rapid acetylator phenotype was slightly less frequent in IDDM and slightly more frequent in NIDDM. Neither of the differences was significant. When acetylator status in the two types of diabetes mellitus was compared, there was a significant difference among the two groups. Patients with IDDM had a higher percentage of the slow acetylator phenotype when compared to NIDDM patients. The association between acetylator status and IDDM in Jordanians, which agrees with that reported for the Saudi Arabian population, is the reverse of what is found in European populations. The results demonstrate ethnic differences in acetylator status among IDDM patients.     

Studies on the antidiabetic activities of Momordica charantia fruit juice in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

Context: Momordica charantia Linn (Cucurbitaceae) (MC) is used in folk medicine to treat various diseases including diabetes mellitus.

Objective: This study investigates the antidiabetic activities of Momordica charantia (bitter gourd) on streptozotocin-induced type 2 diabetes mellitus in rats.

Materials and methods: Male Wister rats were randomly assigned to 4 groups. Group I, Normal control; Group II, STZ diabetic; Group III and IV, Momordica charantia fruit juice was orally administered to diabetic rats (10?mL/kg/day either as prophylaxis for 14 days before induction of diabetes then 21 days treatment, or as treatment given for 21 days after induction of diabetes). The effects of MC juice were studied both in vivo and in vitro by studying the glucose uptake of isolated rat diaphragm muscles in the presence and absence of insulin. Histopathological examination of pancreas was also performed.

Results: This study showed that MC caused a significant reduction of serum glucose (135.99?±?6.27 and 149.79?±?1.90 vs. 253.40*?±?8.18) for prophylaxis and treatment respectively, fructosamine (0.99?±?0.01 and 1.01?±?0.04 vs. 3.04?±?0.07), total cholesterol, triglycerides levels, insulin resistance index (1.13?±?0.08 and 1.19?±?0.05 vs. 1.48?±?1.47) and pancreatic malondialdehyde content (p?p?p?Conclusions: Momordica charantia presents excellent antidiabetic and antioxidant activities and thus has great potential as a new source for diabetes treatment whether it is used for prophylaxis or treatment.     

Vanadate as an oral antidiabetic agent

Today's need for effective oral glucose lowering agents and the recent advances in the understanding of the molecular mechanisms of insulin action have increased attention to the use of vanadate as an oral euglycaemic agent. Vanadate has metabolic actions like insulin. It is efficacious in rodent models of insulin-dependent diabetes (IDDM) and non-insulin-dependent diabetes (NIDDM). Moreover, recent clinical trials of two to three week duration in human NIDDM and IDDM subjects demonstrated that oral vanadate improved insulin sensitivity in all NIDDM subjects and some IDDM subjects. No major side effects were observed. Although vanadate is a potent protein-tyrosine phosphatase (PTPase) inhibitor, the precise glucose lowering mechanism is debatable since the metal is unstable and it is metabolised by cells. Recently chemists have taken advantage of the complex chemical properties of vanadate and have synthesised a variety of vanadium derivatives that are much more potent than vanadate. Some show in vitro enzyme selectivity against PTPases and some are better absorbed and less toxic. These novel agents have been tested in rodent models and the preliminary data suggest that a potent, less toxic vanadium derivative may find a place in diabetes therapy.     

EFFECT OF CHRONIC TREATMENT WITH AMLODIPINE IN NON-INSULIN-DEPENDENT DIABETIC RATS

We have investigated the effects of amlodipine on streptozotocin- (STZ) induced neonatal non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) rats. NIDDM was induced by intraperitoneal injection of STZ (70 mg kg⁻¹) to 5-day-old rat pups. The animals were weaned at 30 days and maintained with food and waterad libitumfor 3 months. Amlodipine (5 mg kg⁻¹p.o.) was administered for 6 weeks after the animals were confirmed diabetic (3 months after the STZ injection). A group of control animals were also maintained and this group received citrate buffer 5 days after birth. Fasting- and fed-glucose levels in NIDDM rats were significantly higher than control rats. Treatment with amlodipine reduced the elevated fasting- and fed-glucose levels significantly. Results of the oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) revealed that glucose tolerance is impaired in the NIDDM rats. There was a marked increase in glucose levels after oral administration of glucose in the control NIDDM rats. Increased glucose levels were found to be associated with increased insulin levels. Treatment with amlodipine in the NIDDM rats caused a decrease in insulin release, however, glucose levels were found to be lowered significantly indicating that amlodipine causes an increase in insulin sensitivity. In conclusion, our data indicated that amlodipine increases insulin sensitivity in neonatal-STZ NIDDM rats.     

Prostanoid release and constrictor responses to noradrenaline in the rat mesenteric vascular bed in non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus

1. The administration of streptozotocin (STZ) to 2-day old rats induced a non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM)-like state, with mild hyperglycaemia and no alterations in body weight at the adult age. 2. In the isolated and perfused mesenteric vascular bed of NIDDM animals, the constrictor responses to either noradrenaline (NA) or potassium chloride (KCl) were not modified as compared with age-matched non-diabetic controls. 3. The reduction in NA contractions induced by the cyclooxygenase inhibitor, 10 microM indomethacin in the control group was absent in the NIDDM rats. 4. The increase in the NA-induced contractions caused by endothelium removal was suppressed by indomethacin in the controls but not in the NIDDM group. 5. The prostanoid release from the mesenteric vascular beds of NIDDM rats was markedly reduced as compared with non-diabetic controls. Noradrenaline increased production of the constrictor prostaglandin (PG) F2alpha in control but not in NIDDM rats. 6. In summary, these results show that in STZ-induced NIDDM rats, there is an impairment of the prostanoid production, as well as a suppression of the role of prostanoids in the contractile effects of NA in the mesenteric vascular bed. These alterations are more severe than those previously observed in a model of insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM), in which hyperglycaemia and reduction of body weight were more marked. The conclusion is that, in these models of diabetes and in the preparation studied, vascular alterations and modifications of glycaemia and body weight are not closely related.     

Essential oil of Zygophyllum album inhibits key-digestive enzymes related to diabetes and hypertension and attenuates symptoms of diarrhea in alloxan-induced diabetic rats

Context: Zygophyllum album L. (Zygophyllaceae), commonly known as Bougriba, is widely used to treat diabetes, digestive tract spasm, and hypertension in folk medicine, in Tunisia.

Objective: This study investigates the antidiabetic, antidiarrheal, and antihypertensive activities of the leaves of the essential oil from Zygophyllum album (OZA) in alloxan-induced diabetic rats.

Materials and methods: The oil was obtained by hydrodistillation and analyzed by GC-MS. Males rats were divided into four groups: control, diabetic-untreated group, diabetic-treated group with acarbose (10?mg/kg), and diabetic-treated rats with OZA (200?mg/kg) for 30 d.

Results: At the end of the experimental period, the OZA significantly decreased the activity of α-amylase in pancreas and serum of the diabetic rats by 43% and 38%, respectively, which led to reduce the serum glucose level by 60% and lower of glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) rate by 17% as compared with untreated diabetic animals. Moreover, the OZA treatment attenuated symptoms of diarrhea, improved lipid disorders, and hypertension through inhibiting the pancreatic lipase and angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) activities by 47% and 25%, respectively, in serum of diabetic rats.

Conclusion: OZA showed a good effect in the management of diabetes mellitus and exerted preventive action from related hypertension.     

Regional variation in the prescribing for diabetes and use of secondary preventative therapies in Ireland

PURPOSE: To compare the prescribing of secondary preventative therapies for patients with both insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) and non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) in the eight health board regions of Ireland. METHODS: We utilized data from the national general medical services (GMS) prescribing database to examine the variability of prescribing for diabetes and associated secondary therapies between regions in those aged 45 years or more. Age-sex standardized prescribing rates of six secondary preventative therapies (aspirin, beta-blockers, statins, ACE inhibitors, angiotensin receptor (AT2) antagonists, and fibrates) were calculated for each region. RESULTS: Variations exist between regions for treated NIDDM (1.5-fold) and IDDM (1.5-fold). Wide variations were observed between regions for prescribing of secondary preventative therapies with the highest variability observed for statin prescribing (1.5- to 1.6-fold) and for AT2 antagonist prescribing (2.0-fold) in NIDDM patients. In those with NIDDM, men were more likely to receive aspirin OR=1.26 (1.21--1.31), ACE inhibitors 1.14 (1.101.18), and fibrates OR=1.55 (1.23--1.96) than women and those aged over 75 years were less likely to receive statins OR=0.60 (0.56--0.65) and fibrates OR=0.25 (0.17--0.37) than those aged 45--74. Similar results were also shown for patients with IDDM. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that access to secondary preventative therapy in diabetes patients is not equitable across regions, gender, and age in Ireland. While much of the variability remains unexplained, it may be due to differences in screening and health promotion between regions, prescriber uncertainty, variability in clinical need, or may be derived from a socioeconomic disparity among regions.     

Patent Evaluation: Monoclonal Antibodies for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Diabetes

Summary

Novelty: A monoclonal antibody, denoted DM, directed against the 64 kDa pancreatic beta cell autoantigen, which is associated with the onset of insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, is disclosed. The isolation of the 64 kDa autoantigen and the generation of anti-idiotype antibodies against MAb DM, are also disclosed. Although the autoimmune basis of IDDM is at present unclear, the 64 kDa autoantigen has been established in the pathogenesis of IDDM. Thus, MAb DM has potential use for the diagnosis of IDDM, and for the prophylaxis and therapy of IDDM. Firstly, MAb DM was used to isolate the 64 kDa autoantigen, potentially useful as the basis for an immunoassay of autoreactive antibodies, which are diagnostic of IDDM. Secondly, the anti-DM anti-idiotypes are potentially useful for the production of both active and passive ‘vaccines’ against IDDM, and as carriers of cytotoxins to effect killing of the autoreative lymphocyte clones.

Biology: The pancreatic beta cell 64 kDa autoantigen target of DM was confirmed by effecting antibody-dependent, complement-mediated cytotoxicity againsed rat insulinoma. The use of 64 kDa autoantigen-based ELISA to detect human sera from IDDM sufferers was also demonstrated; the ELISA detected a proportion of those affected.     

Antidiabetic,antihyperlipidaemic, and antioxidant activity of Syzygium densiflorum fruits in streptozotocin and nicotinamide-induced diabetic rats

Context Syzygium densiflorum Wall. ex Wight & Arn (Myrtaceae) has been traditionally used by local tribes of the Nilgiris, Tamil Nadu, India, for the treatment of diabetes, however, no definitive experimental studies are available.

Objective This study investigates the antidiabetic, antihyperlipidaemic and antioxidant activities of ethanol extract of S. densiflorum (EFSD) fruits in streptozotocin (STZ) and nicotinamide (NA)-induced diabetic rats.

Materials and methods Acute oral toxicity and oral glucose tolerance were assessed in normal rats. The antidiabetic, antihyperlipidaemic and antioxidant activities were investigated in STZ???NA-induced diabetic rats. Diabetic rats were orally administered with glibenclamide (10?mg/kg b.wt), EFSD (200, 400 and 800?mg/kg b.wt) for 28 d. Further, changes in the blood glucose level (BGL), biochemical parameters, antioxidants were observed and histology of pancreas was performed.

Results No toxicity and lethality were observed. Results of the following parameters are represented by treated versus disease control (STZ?+?NA) groups. BGL (161.33?±?22.8 versus 476.17?±?56.58?mg/dl), glycosylated haemoglobin (5.285?±?0.19 versus 8.05?±?0.55%), urea (40.32?±?1.96 versus 75.37?±?2.91?mg/dl), uric acid (1.2?±?0.07 versus 2.16?±?0.05?mg/dl), total cholesterol (89.3?±?5.14 versus 139.7?±?5.95?mg/dl) and triglycerides (79.65?±?2.52 versus 108.9?±?3.61?mg/dl) were significantly decreased, whereas haemoglobin (11.75?±?0.73 versus 7.95?±?0.42?g/dl), high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (14.2?±?1.11 versus 6.97?±?0.84?mg/dl), total protein (45%) and liver glycogen (87%) were significantly increased in EFSD-treated diabetic group. Significant changes were observed in the enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants in EFSD-treated groups (p?<?0.001). Histopathological examination showed the regeneration of β-cells in Islets of Langerhans.

Conclusion This study confirms the antidiabetic, antihyperlipidaemic and antioxidant activities of S. densiflorum fruits.     

Aetiology of insulin-dependent diabetes

Two major types of diabetes are recognized, insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) and non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM). In this review we discuss some of the underlying factors which play a role in the events leading to IDDM.     

The indirect costs of morbidity in type II diabetic patients

In an attempt to obtain an appropriate estimate of the excess costs of production losses arising from morbidity in patients with diabetes, we compared the number of sick days and permanently disabled individuals in a diabetic population and the corresponding general population. These comparisons show that the rate of premature retirement for both insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM, type I diabetes) or non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM, type II diabetes) patients was twice that of the average population. Insulin-treated subjects also had twice as many sickness benefit days. The excess costs of production losses as a result of morbidity in people aged 20 to 64 years with type II diabetes were about $US7000 per individual and year. Most of these excess costs were attributed to permanent disability in the 40- to 64-year age groups.     

Metabolic fingerprinting of different populations of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Phyllanthus niruri</Emphasis> L. from Punjab using electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI–MS)

There is growing interest of healthcare and food industry in ingredients of plant origin as they are potent sources of antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and anticancer agents. In the present work different extracts of Phyllanthus niruri L. from various regions of Punjab were screened for their phenolic profiles and antioxidant properties. Crude extracts obtained by solid–liquid extraction with different solvents were tested for total anthocyanins, flavonoids, phenolic content, and free radical scavenging activity. Out of all the solvents used, methanol was regarded as best to be used for soxhlet extraction of plant metabolites, as it provided highest phenolic, flavonoid, antioxidant, and anthocyanin contents. Similarly, ESI–MS was employed to obtain mass profiles of phenolic and other metabolites present in various P. niruri populations. Out of 72 compounds detected, 51 are reported for the first time in P. niruri L. Similarly, different populations of P. niruri were discriminated through metabolic fingerprinting using ESI–MS.     

Effects of butanol fraction of Ziziphus mucronata root ethanol extract on glucose homeostasis,serum insulin and other diabetes-related parameters in a murine model for type 2 diabetes

Context: Ziziphus mucronata Willd (Rhamnaceae) is currently used in Nigerian traditional treatment of diabetes mellitus. However, detailed information on the antidiabetic potential of the plant parts is presently unknown.

Objectives: The present study investigated the antidiabetic effects of the butanol fraction of Z. mucronata root (ZMBF) in a type 2 diabetes (T2D) model of rats.

Materials and methods: T2D was induced in rats by feeding a 10% fructose solution ad libitum for two weeks followed by an intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (40?mg/kg bw) and the animals were orally treated with ZMBF 150 or 300?mg/kg bw for five days a week for four weeks. Food and fluid intake, body weight changes and blood glucose levels were monitored during the experiment while other blood and organ specific diabetes-associated parameters were measured at the end of the experiment.

Results: After four-week treatment, significantly (p?p?>?0.05) affected by the treatment of ZMBF.

Conclusion: Results of this study suggest that ZMBF treatment, at 300?mg/kg bw, possess antidiabetic activity, but could not ameliorate some diabetes-related parameters in type 2 diabetic rats.     

Prostanoid release and constrictor responses to noradrenaline in the rat mesenteric vascular bed in non‐insulin‐dependent diabetes mellitus

1 The administration of streptozotocin (STZ) to 2‐day old rats induced a non‐insulin‐dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM)‐like state, with mild hyperglycaemia and no alterations in body weight at the adult age. 2 In the isolated and perfused mesenteric vascular bed of NIDDM animals, the constrictor responses to either noradrenaline (NA) or potassium chloride (KCl) were not modified as compared with age‐matched non‐diabetic controls. 3 The reduction in NA contractions induced by the cyclooxygenase inhibitor, 10 μM indomethacin in the control group was absent in the NIDDM rats. 4 The increase in the NA‐induced contractions caused by endothelium removal was suppressed by indomethacin in the controls but not in the NIDDM group. 5 The prostanoid release from the mesenteric vascular beds of NIDDM rats was markedly reduced as compared with non‐diabetic controls. Noradrenaline increased production of the constrictor prostaglandin (PG) F₂α in control but not in NIDDM rats. 6 In summary, these results show that in STZ‐induced NIDDM rats, there is an impairment of the prostanoid production, as well as a suppression of the role of prostanoids in the contractile effects of NA in the mesenteric vascular bed. These alterations are more severe than those previously observed in a model of insulin‐dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM), in which hyperglycaemia and reduction of body weight were more marked. The conclusion is that, in these models of diabetes and in the preparation studied, vascular alterations and modifications of glycaemia and body weight are not closely related.     

Trichosanthes cucumerina Linn. improves glucose tolerance and tissue glycogen in non insulin dependent diabetes mellitus induced rats

Objective:

To study the effect of Trichosanthes cucumerina Linn. on non insulin dependent diabetes mellitus induced rats.

Materials and Methods:

Non Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus (NIDDM) was induced by administering streptozotocin (90 mg/kg, i.p.) in neonatal rat model. NIDDM animals were treated with aqueous extract of Trichosanthes cucumerina (100 mg/kg/day) orally for six weeks. Parameters such as fasting blood glucose, Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT) and tissue glycogen content were evaluated.

Results:

Aqueous extract of Trichosanthes cucumerina significantly (P<0.01) decreased the elevated blood glucose of NIDDM induced rats. OGTT of NIDDM animals showed glucose intolerance. Blood glucose of diabetic animals reached peak at 45 min and remains high even after 2h. In case of Trichosanthes cucumerina treated group, the blood glucose reached peak level at 30 min, followed by decrease in glucose level up to 2h. The drug has significantly (P<0.01) reduced the postprandial blood glucose of diabetic animals. Glycogen content of insulin dependent tissues such as liver and skeletal muscle was found to be improved by 62% and 58.8% respectively with Trichosanthes cucumerina as compared to NIDDM control.

Conclusion:

Studies revealed that, Trichosanthes cucumerina possess antidiabetic activity. The drug improved the oral glucose tolerance of NIDDM subjects. Increase in tissue glycogen content indicates the effect of the drug on the uptake of glucose by the peripheral tissues to reduce insulin resistance of NIDDM.