EX-VIVO STUDIES OF THE EFFECT OF WHEATGRASS ON GLUCOSE RELEASE AND GLUCONEOGENESIS USING CORTISOL-INDUCED HEPATOCYTES

Cortisol is one of the vital glucocorticoids secreted by the adrenal glands and is also referred to as the “stress hormone” as the synthesis and release of cortisol by the adrenal glands is directly proportional to the stress levels in an individual. It is a catabolic hormone that stimulates gluconeogenesis and has an indirect role in liver and muscle glycogenolysis. It facilitates lipid, protein and carbohydrate metabolism.  Over the years medicinal grasses have been in the highlight for their potent medicinal value. Hence, Wheatgrass was chosen for study. Wheatgrass is derived from the common wheat plant. It is the grass of the common wheat plant. It belongs to the Poaceae family. Wheatgrass is the freshly sprouted first leaves of the wheat plant (Triticum aestivum). The Wheatgrass extract was obtained from methanol. Phytochemical screening was conducted which showed the presence of carbohydrates, phenols, flavonoids, terpenoids, tannins, alkaloids, glucosides, proteins, steroids, saponins and fixed oils. Wheatgrass was taken and cell viability assay was done using MTT dye. This assay indicated that methanolic extract of wheatgrass decreased cell viability. It showed cytotoxic activity and inhibited cell propagation. Ex-vivo studies were also carried out using Wheatgrass and cortisol. In these ex-vivo studies hepatocytes were used to determine the glucose release and gluconeogenesis. In these experiments the methanolic extracts of wheatgrass lowered cortisol activity which led to the significant reduction in liberation of glucose in condition of stress, starvation, as well as normal conditions. The glucose released was measured at regular time intervals in terms of percentage reduction.