ANTIDIABETIC ACTIVITY OF PARKINSONIA ACCULEATA LINN IN RABBITS, EMPHASIS ON C REACTIVE PROTIENS

ANTIDIABETIC ACTIVITY OF PARKINSONIA ACCULEATA LINN IN RABBITS, EMPHASIS ON C REACTIVE PROTIENS

Ghalib I. Hundekari*, M.A. Shukoor, A.N. Nagappa, Syeda Shahana and Syeda Saba

Kamala Nehru Polytechnic (Pharmacy), Dr. Rafiq Zakaria Campus, Aurangabad, Maharashtra, India

ABSTRACT

Parkinsonia acculeata is used in traditional medicine for the treatment of jaundice and diabetes. Accordingly, the present study was designed to investigate the effects of Pet ether and aqueous extracts of the leaves of Parkinsonia acculeata on glucose homeostasis in alloxan induced diabetis in rabbits. After 7 days of study it showed that Parkinsonia acculeata reduced glucose levels significantly. The extracts were also able to reduce quantatively C reactive proteins and levels of SGOT and SGPT enzymes. It was concluded that due to its potent antioxidant and antidiabetic properties, the Parkinsonia acculeata extract exerts remarkable antidiabetogenic effect.

C reactive protein

INTRODUCTION:The prevalence of insulin resistance and diabetes has increased in the past decades at an alarming rate in all Western countries and in those countries which are adopting a 'western life style'. This trend suggests the impact of environmental factors such as diet, obesity and physical activity on the pathogenesis of diabetes. However it is known that the prevalence and variation of prevalence, as consequence of environmental changes, is different in various ethnic groups. Studies conducted in multiethnic populations suggest that some ethnic groups, such as Hispanics or Asian Indians, might have a particular predisposition, possibly on genetic basis, to develop insulin resistance and diabetes, when exposed to adverse conditions¹.

The most common and life threatening disorder that besets type 2 diabetic subjects is coronary heart disease (CHD). Irrespective of the ethnic background the risk for CHD among diabetic subjects is greater by a factor of 2 to 4 compared to non-diabetic subject ². The diabetic condition contributes for initiation and progression of micro and macro vascular complications in diabetics.  Of all, cardiovascular complications are the leading cause of mortality and morbidity in diabetics.

As diabetics are at risk of CVD, therefore there is a need to identify markers which would help in prognosis and diagnosis of the disease.  C-Reactive protein is the principle down stream mediator of the acute phase response and is primarily derived via IL-6–dependent  hepatic biosynthesis. Interleukin 6, a major proinflammatory cytokine, is produced in a variety of tissues, including activated leukocytes, adipocytes, and endothelial cells ³.

C-reactive protein (CRP) is the prototypical, and most commonly used, acute-phase reactant marker of inflammation in the body. Increases in CRP concentration (even when within the clinically normal range and of other inflammatory markers are independently predictive of future cardiovascular events ¹.  The major function of CRP include its ability to bind to various ligands exposed on damaged tissue or bacteria (opsonization) for the  enhancement of phagocytosis and activation of the compliment pathway, thereby enabling it to exert both anti- and pro inflammatory functions.CRP is mainly expressed by hepatocytes  and its synthesis is regulated at the posttranscriptional level by cytokines ⁵. As atherosclerosis involves inflammation of the vascular endothelium, CRP levels tend to be raised. Basic research studies have revealed that inflammatory markers are high among subjects with insulin resistance and diabetics. Inflammation is considered to be a part of insulin resistance syndrome and this to some extend explains high risk for CAD among diabetic subjects ⁶.

MATERIALS  METHODS:

Plant material and Preparation of extracts:

The leaves of Parkinsonia Acculeata   were collected form Sholapur district .and were aunthenticated by Departent of  Botony, Maulana Azad College Of Arts ,Science and Commerce Aurangabad . A voucher specimen has been deposited in the herbarium of the Department of   Botany, Maulana Azad College Of Arts ,Science and Commerce Aurangabad . Leaves were sun dried and grinded into powder form. The  powdered  leaves   were  extracted  in Soxhlet extractor  using petroleum  ether and concentrated with vacuum evaporator . The aqueous extract was prepared by maceration of leaves with water for 48h.

Phytochemical screening: The extracts of leaves were subjected to preliminary phytochemical screening to identify the presence of various phytoconstituents present .It showed the presence of Alkaloids, glycosides, saponins, flavanoids etc⁶.

Drugs and chemicals: Parkinsonia acculeata extract, alloxan and standard drug Metformin. All other chemicals were of analytical grade.

Alloxan induced Diabetes Mellitus: For induction of diabetes , alloxan monohydrate was dissolved in water for injection and given at dose of 120 mg/kg body weight intra peritonially ⁴.  

Experimental design:

Selection of animals: Adult rabbits of either sex  weighing between 1-2 kg were taken. They were fed on natural plant diet and were maintained under standard conditions for 1 week for acclimatization.  Water was provided ad libitum and all rabbits were kept in cages.⁵ (the evalution of soyaen ref 10) After one  week of  acclimatization  the  rabbits were divided in to seven  groups of six rabbits each of either sex. Experimental protocols were reviewed and approved by institutional IAEC.

TABLE 1: EXPERIMENTAL GROUPS  AND TREATMENT GIVEN

Groups                  Treatment (dose/kg,  p.o.)

Group I  :               Normal control.

Group II :               (Diabetic control group) Alloxan Monohydrate 120 mg/kg body weight.

Group III :             Metformin  500mg (Standard drug)

Group IV :             Parkinsonia acculeata Pet ether extract    500 mg/kg

Group V :               Parkinsonia acculeata Chloroform extract 500 mg/kg

Group VI:              Parkinsonia aculeata Methanol extract 500 mg/kg

Group VII:             Parkinsonia acculeata Aqueous extract 500 mg/kg

Alloxan Mono hydrate was given intraperitonially in the dose of 120 mg/kg and after 03 days rabbits showing blood glucose above 250 mg/dl were selected for study. Pet ether and Chloroform Parkinsonia acculeata extracts,were suspended in Tween 40 and aqueous and methanol are water soluble,  were  administered at the doses of  500 mg/kg orally  for 7 days to the animals of groups IV, V, VI, and VII, and metformin to standard group in a dose of 500 mg/kg⁷ respectively.

Blood samples were collected from the marginal ear vein with the help of sterilized needle and syringe on 1^st, 3^rd, 5^th and 7^th day after drug administration ⁸. Blood glucose concentration was determined in serum by commercially available glucose kit (Accu-check). The glucose levels were expressed as mg/dl as shown in fig. 1.

On day 7 the animals were sacrificed under ether anesthesia, blood sample was collected by carotid bleeding and samples were immediately centrifuged for serum. Liver, pancreas were isolated and preserved in 10% solution of formaldehyde.

Biochemical Analysis: The blood samples collected were immediately centrifuged and subjected to estimation of SGOT, SGPT ¹⁰, Triglycerides, LDL ¹¹, Urea, Creatinine ⁹  and C reactive proteins. Tulip and Crest kits were used to estimate the enzymes. The enzyme estimation was carried out on  Robnic Preitest touch Autoanalyser. The instrument was calibrated as per the instruction manual. Liver glycogen was estimated as per method described by J. Van Der Vies ¹².

RESULTS:

1. Estimation of blood glucose concentration: Treatment with aqueous, Pet ether extracts of  P. acculeata significantly decreased the blood glucose levels of diabetic groups The blood glucose concentration of diabetic rabbits was increased significantly as compared to the normal control group. The blood levels of glucose of control, diabetic & treated groups is shown in table 1.

TABLE 1: TABLE SHOWING MEAN BLOOD GLUCOSE CONCENTRATION (mg/dl)

N= 6, Mean ± SEM (Standard error mean),*p<0.01 significant as compared to control

2. Estimation of Serum Enzymes and  Markers: SGOT & SGPT values increase significantly in diabetic rabbits. P. acculeata treatment decreased the SGOT & SGPT values in diabetic rabbits. Urea & Creatinine values were changed significantly in diabetic rabbits and are illustrated in table 2 showing comparison with normal, P. acculeata treated diabetic rabbits.

TABLE 2: TABLE SHOWING LEVELS OF SGOT, SGPT, UREA & CREATININE

N= 6, Mean ± SEM (Standard error mean),*p<0.01 significant as compared to control

GRAPH SHOWING LEVELS OF SGOT, SGPT, UREA & CREATININE

3. Hypolipidemic effect: Triglycerides and LDL values increased significantly in diabetic rabbits, where as P. acculeata extracts decreased the Triglycerides & LDL values. The lipid profile and the inflammatory marker C-Reactive protein of normal, diabetic & P. acculeata extract treated diabetic rabbits is shown in table 3.

TABLE 3: LEVELS OF TRIGLYCERIDE, LDL & C-REACTIVE PROTEIN

N= 6, Mean ± SEM (Standard error mean),*p<0.01 significant as compared to control

GRAPH SHOWING LEVELS OF TRIGLYCERIDE, LDL & C-REACTIVE PROTEIN

TABLE 4: LEVELS OF LIVER GLYCOGEN

N= 6, Mean ± SEM (Standard error mean),*p<0.01 significant as compared to control

GRAPH SHOWING LEVELS OF LIVER GLYCOGEN

DISCUSSION: Alloxan and streptozotocin are widely used to induce experimental diabetes in animals because of their ability to produce β cell necrosis ^{13, 14}. It is commonly accepted that both of these diabetogenic compounds are involved in free radical generation causing pancreatic cell damage ^{15, 16}.

The present study was under taken to evaluate the antidiabetic activity of Parkinsonia acculeata. The studies revealed that Pet ether and aqueous extracts of Parkinsonia acculeata significantly reduced the levels of blood glucose.  It was observed during the study that the levels of various enzymes were elevated reflecting the damage caused to pancreas and liver. SGOT/SGPT ratio is a sensitive index of liver cell destruction. The levels of SGOT and SGPT were significantly decreased as compared to diabetic control.

Elevated levels of Triglycerides are indicators of hyperglycemia which is an important contributor to Diabetic complication like hypertension and athero-sclerosis. LDL are reported to have atherogenic activity in diabetis. From the present study, it is revealed that the extracts of Parkinsonia acculeata have reduced the levels of triglycerides and LDL which may be helpful in reducing the diabetic complications. C-Reactive protein is the principle down stream mediator of the acute phase response and is primarily derived via IL-6–dependent  hepatic biosynthesis. The present study has revealed that the C-reactive protein were considerably reduced in the pet ether, aqeous extracts of Parkinsonia acculeata as compared to control group. This highlights the facts that in order to characterize the risk of cardiovascular events, CRP should be considered in the list of screening tests of  diabetic studies.

Glycogen is the primary intracellular storable form of glucose and its levels in various tissues especially skeletal muscles are direct reflection of insulin activity. In diabetis the stores of glycogen are depleted as an alternative source of energy. In the present study it is observed that  extracts of Parkinsonia acculeata treated groups showed higher levels of   glycogen  as compared to control. Experimental and bio analytical result shows that  Parkinsonia acculeata has significant antidiabetic activity.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT: The authors are thankful to the whole staff of Kamala Nehru Ploytechnic Pharmacy, Aurangabad. The said work would not have been possible without the untiring efforts of Mr. Idrees Bakhtiyar.

REFERENCES:

1. Dilys J. Freeman, John Noorie, Muriel J. Vaslake, Allan Gaw, Ian Ford, C-Reactive protein is an Independent predictor of risk for the development of diabetis in the west of Scotland coronary prevention study, Diabetis vol. 51, May 2002.
2. Uma M Iyer, Pallavi Desai, Assesment of C-reactive protein and fibrinogen levels in type 2 diabetes mellitus, Biomedical research 2010;21 (2): 208-213.
3. Aruna D. Pradhan, JoAnn E. Manson, NaderRifai, Julie E. Buring, Paul M Ridker, C- Reactive protein, Interleukin 6, and Risk of Developing type 2 Diabetes Mellitus, American Madical Association, All rights reserved.
4. E. Edwin Jarald, S.B Joshi, D.C. Jain, Antidiabetic activity of flower buds of  Michelia champaca Linn., Indian J. Pharmacol 2008 Nov-Dec, 40(6):256-260.
5. I. Khushk, M.U. Dahot, S.A. Baloach, M.A. Bhutto, The Evaaluation of Soybean Extracts in Alloxan-Induced Diabetic Rabbits, World applied Sciences journal 8:22-25,2010,ISSN 1818-4952.
6. M.G.Gavaniya, N.L.Pathak, H P. Trivedi, A.K. Patel, Dr. H D. Tridevi, N M. Panchal, Dr L D. Patel, Parkinsonia Acculeata Supresses Inflammation and Cartilage Destruction in Collagen-Induced Arthritic Rats,Vol.2 June(2011)
7. Amol Kumar K Hule, Abhishek S Shah, Manoj N Gambhire, Archana R Juvekar, An evaluation of the antidiabetic effects of Elaeocarpus ganitrus in experimental animals, Indian journal of Pharmacology, Vol.43, No. 1 Jan – feb, 2011,pp. 56-59.
8. Tulay Bakirel, Utku Bakirel, Oya Ustuner Keles, Sinem Gunes Ulgen, Hasret Yardibi, In vivo assessment of antidiabetic and antioxidant activities of rosemary in alloxan induced-diabetic rabbits, Journal of  Ethanopharmacology 116 (2008) 64-73.
9. Dubey, G.P., Dixit, S.P. and Alok Singh, Alloxan-induced Diabetes in Rabbits and Effect of a Herbal Formmulation D-400, Indian journal pharmacology (1994)(26) 225-226.
10. Maqsood Ahmad, Fatima Zaman, Tanveer Sharif & Muhammad Zabta Ch, Antidiabetic and Hypolipidemic effects of Aqueous Methanolic extracts of Acacia Nilotica Pods in Alloxan-Induced Diabetic Rabbits, Scand. J.Lab., Anim.Sci. 2008 Vol. 35, No.1.
11. K.N. Bopanna, J. Kannan, Sushma Gadgil, R. Balaraman, S.P. Rathod, Antidiabetic and Antihyperlipaemic effects of Neem seed Kernel poeder on Alloxan Diabetic rabbits, Indian journal of Pharmacology 1997, 29: 162-167.
12. Mohammad Habibuddin, Hassan Ali Daghriri, Touseef Humaira, Mohammed Saeed Al Qahtani, Ali Hasan Hefzi, Antidiabetic effect of alcoholic extract of Caralluma sinaica L. on streptozotocin-induced diabetic rabbits, Journal of  Ethnopharmacology 117 (2008) 215-220.
13. Naveed Sattar, Olga Scherbakova, Ian Ford, Denis St. J.O’Reilly, Adrian Stanley, Ewan Forrest, Elevated Alanine Aminotransferase Predicts New-Onset type  2 Diabetes Independently of Classical Risk Factors, Metabolic Syndrome, and C-Reactive Protein in the West of Scotland Coronary Prevention Study, Diabetes, Vol.53, Nov 2004.
14. Rifat-uz-Zaman, Glycaemic Evaluation of Folk Recipe (Medicinal Plants) in Alloxan induced Diabetic Rabbits, British Journal of Medicine & Medical Research 1(2):67-84,2011.
15. Sharad Sharma,Mamta Chaturvedi E. Edwin, Shruti Shukla, Hemant Sagrawat, Evaluation of the phytochemicals antidiabetic activity of Ficus bengalensis, Int J DiabDev Ctries june 2007,Vol. 27.
16. Nooren Wadood, Muhammad Nisar,Abdul Rashid,Abdul Wadood,Gul-Nawa, AyubKhan: Effect of a compound Recipe (Medicinal Plants) on Serum Insulin of Alloxan Induced Diabetic Rabbits, J Ayub Med coll abbotabad 2007;19(1).
17. K.N.Bopanna, J.Kannan, Sushma Gadgil, R.Balaram, S.P.Rathod, Antidiabetic and Antihyperlipaemic effects of  Neem Seed Kernel powder on Alloxan diabetic rabbits, Indian journal of Pharmacology 1997, 29, 162-167.
18. B Jayakar, B.Suresh: Antihyperglycemic and hypoglycemic effect of Aporosa lindleyana in normal and alloxan induced diabetic rats, journal of Ethnopharmacology 84 (2003) 247-249.
19. Sninivas Nammi, Murthy K Boini, Srinivas D Lodagala and Ravindra Babu Behara, The juice of fresh leaves of Catharanthus roseus Linn. Reduces blood glucose in normal and alloxan diabetic rabbits,BMC complemantary and Alternative medicines.
20. S. Lenzen, The mechanism of alloxan and streptozotocine inducelod diabetes, Diabetologia (2008) 51:216-226.
21. F.J. Alarcon-Aguilara, R.Roman-Romos, S. Perez-Gutierrez, Study of the anti-hyperglycemic effect of plants used as antidiabetics, journal of Ethnopharmacology 61 (1998) 101-110.
22. J.K.Groover, S.Yadav,V.Vats, Medicinal plants of India with anti-diabetic potential, journal of Ethnopharmacology 81(2002) 81-100.
23. Mark B. Pepys, Gideon M. Hirschfield, Glenys A. Tennent, Targetting C-reactive protein for the treatment of cardiovascular disease, Vol 440, 27 April 2006, doi:10.103 /nature04672.
24. K.C.B.Tan, W.S.Chow, S.C.F. Tam, V.H.G.Al,C.H.L.Lam, K.S.L.Lam, Atorvastatin Lowers C-Reactive protein and improves Endothelium-dependent Vasodilation in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus, journal of clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism87 (2):563-568.
25. Paul M, Ridker, M.D., Nader Rifai,Lynda Rose, M.S., Julie E. Buring, Comparison of C-Reactive and low density Lipoprotein Cholesterol Levels in the Prediction,N Engl J Med, Vol. 347, No. 20 Nov. 14 (2002).
26. C.G. Schalkwijk, D.C.W.Poland, W. van Dijk, A.Kok, J.J. Eneis, A.M. Drager, A. Doni, nduPlasma concentration in –reactive protein is increased in type 1 diabetic patient without crinical macroangiopathy and correlates with markers of endothelial dysfunction: evidence for chronic inflammation, Diabetologia (1999) 42:351-357