- 1Department of Life Sciences, Texas A&M University, Corpus Christi, Texas, USA.
Abstract
BACKGROUND:
Diabetes
mellitus is a chronic metabolic disease that according to the World
Health Organization affects more than 382 million people. The rise in
diabetes mellitus coupled with the lack of an effective treatment has
led many to investigate medicinal plants to identify a viable
alternative.
OBJECTIVE:
To evaluate red blood cell (RBC) membrane adenosine triphosphatase
(ATPase) activities and antioxidant levels in streptozotocin-induced
diabetic rats administered aqueous preparation of Kalanchoe pinnata
leaves.
MATERIALS AND METHODS:
Diabetes
mellitus was induced in rats by a single administration of
streptozotocin (60 mg/kg). Diabetic rats were then treated with aqueous
K. pinnata preparation (three mature leaves ~ 9.96 g/70 kg body weight
or about 0.14 g/kg body weight/day) for 30 days. Serum glucose, RBC membrane ATPase activities, and antioxidant levels were determined.
RESULTS:
We
noted weight loss and reduced food consumption in the treated diabetic
group. Serum glucose levels were reduced in the treated diabetic group
compared to the other groups. Superoxide dismutase activity and
glutathione levels were not significantly elevated in the treated group
compared to the diabetic group. However, serum catalase activity was
significantly (P < 0.05) increased in the treated diabetic group
compared to the other groups. Serum thiobarbituric acid reactive
substances were not significantly altered among the groups. There was a
significant (P < 0.05) increase in Mg(2+) ATPase activity and a
nonsignificant increase in Na(+)/K(+) ATPase activity in the RBC membrane of the treated diabetic group compared to the diabetic group.
CONCLUSION:
The consumption of aqueous preparation of K. pinnata may accrue benefits in the management of diabetes by lowering oxidative stress
often associated with the disease and improving the availability of
cellular magnesium through an increase in the magnesium ATPase pump in
the RBC membrane for increased cellular metabolism of glucose through the glycolytic pathway.
SUMMARY:
We
noted weight loss and reduced food consumption in the diabetic rats
treated with K. pinnata preparationSerum glucose levels were reduced in
diabetic rats treated with K. pinnata preparationSerum catalase activity
was significantly (P < 0.05) increased in diabetic rats treated with
K. pinnata preparationWe also noted a significant (P < 0.05)
increase in Mg(2+) ATPase activity in the RBC membranes of diabetic rats
treated with K. pinnata preparationOverall, the consumption of aqueous
preparation of K. pinnata lowered oxidative stress
often associated with diabetes and improved availability of cellular
magnesium through an increase in magnesium ATPase pump in the RBC membrane.
KEYWORDS:
Antioxidant enzymes; Kalanchoe pinnata; diabetes; red blood cell membrane adenosine triphosphatases
