IN-VITRO ANTI-DIABETIC, ANTIOXIDANT AND ANTI-APOPTOTIC EFFECTS OF SELECTED INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS USING RINM5F CELLS

The major pathogenic mechanisms of diabetes are chronic hyperglycemia and glucotoxicity. Excess production of reactive oxygen species due to hyperglycemia results in oxidative stress and changes in mitochondrial energy metabolism promote β cell dysfunction, eventually leading to apoptosis and the development of diabetic complications. Although several oral antihyperglycemic agents are available, their adverse effect profile affects their prolonged use. Medicinal plants, having a low toxicity profile, are being looked at as alternatives for diabetes treatment. The present study was thus planned to elucidate the mechanisms of action of 5 medicinal plantsviz. Azadirachta indica, Momordica charantia, Gymnema sylvestre, Syzygium cumini, and Trigonella foenum graecum selected on the basis of Ayurveda in diabetes using RINm5F cells. The effects of these plants on Streptozotocin (STZ) induced oxidative stress was assessed using variables like lipid peroxidation in terms of malondialdehyde (MDA) release, modulation of apoptosis, cell cycle analysis using flowcytometry, and insulin release using commercially available rat insulin Elisa kits. All the plant extracts in the presence of STZ inhibited the release of MDA as compared to STZ-treated cells. Maximum reduction was observed with Azadirachta indica and Gymnema sylvestre extracts compared to STZ treated cells, suggesting the ability to protect from cell death. Maximum and significant insulin release was observed at 200 µg/ml of Syzygium cumini followed by Gymnema sylvestre and Momordica charantia as compared to STZ treated cells. Our findings demonstrate that these plants have the potential to modulate diabetic conditions through their anti-oxidant property, anti-apoptotic and cytoprotective actions.