Journal of Diabetes & Metabolism

Abstract

Holmskioldia sanguinea is a Sub-Himalayan plant that has been cultivated in the Americas, Europe, Indo-China, Asia-Pacific, and Southern Africa. The present study seeks to evaluate the methanolic leaf extract of Holmskioldia Sanguinea (MLEHS) for its anti-diabetic effect against streptozotocin–nicotinamide induced type 2 diabetic models in albino wistar rats. Phytochemical screening, oral glucose tolerance test and acute toxicity study were carried out. Graded doses of MLEHS (100mg/kg, 200mg/kg and 400mg/kg) were administered to diabetic rats for 21 days. The activity was evaluated by using some biochemical parameters such as blood glucose levels, serum lipid profiles, liver profile markers (AST, ALP, ALT), renal profile markers (serum creatinine, blood urea). Type 2 diabetes significantly altered these parameters, while oral administration of the MLEHS significantly ameliorated them.

Keywords

Holmskioldia Sanguinea; Lamiaceae; streptozotocin–nicotinamide induced diabetes; Antidiabetic effect

Introduction

Holmskioldia sanguinea (Lamiaceae) commonly known as Chinese Hat plant is a native of the sub-tropical Himalayan regions of India and Pakistan but also occurs widely as an introduction throughout southern Asia, Mauritius, Indonesia and the West Indies [1]. Holmskioldia sanguinea is a straggling evergreen shrub that grows slowly but steadily to a height of 3-9m. Its leaves are simple and opposite or sub opposite, ovate, acuminate, serrated, or entire, and reach a length of approximately 10 cm. The most noted feature of the plant is bright orange or yellow flowers which resemble the Chinese hat. The flowers have scooped corollas with a pronounced lower lip surrounded by a coloured papery calyx shaped like a shallow dish [2]. There are reports to indicate that it is in use in traditional medicine. Its freshly crushed leaves and shoots are used to treat rheumatism and rheumatoid arthritis, as well as boils, blain, ulcer, and gynaecological problems. Its extracts of leaves and stembark are used in the treatment of dysentery. Various pharmacological activities like analgesic, anticancer, diuretic, anti-inflammatory, CNS depressive and antimicrobial activities have been reported from aerial parts of plant [3, 4]. Phytoconstituents like diterpenoids, andrographolides and neoandrographolide, some known lipids, wogonin, oroxindin, friedelin, friedelinol, β-sitosterol glucoside, β-amyrin and new lipids 27-methylnonaeicosanol were isolated [5]. Though there is no scientific evidence to support the anti-diabetic effect of Holmskioldia sanguinea, tribal men continue to use the plant in the management of diabetes. The objective of this investigation was to ascertain the scientific basis for the use of this plant in the management of diabetes, using streptozotocin–nicotinamide induced type 2 diabetic rats.

Material and Methods

Plant material:

The leaves of the plant Holmskioldia sanguinea were collected during January 2021 from Forest Research Institute, Dehradun, Uttarakhand, India. The plant was identified by Dr. S.K Singh, Botanical survey of India, Northern regional centre, kaulagarh road, Dehradun and a voucher specimen (PP 682) has been deposited in the herbarium of the Botanical survey of India.

Preparation of MLEHS:

Shaded dried leaves of Holmskiolida Sanguinea were crushed to produce coarse powder of approximately 60-mesh size. Approximately 150g of dried and coarsely powdered leaves of Holmskioldia Sanguinea was subjected to selected solvent extraction by continuous hot extraction (Soxhlet) with 750ml of methanol. The extract was concentrated by distilling the solvent in a rotatory flask evaporator to obtain the extracts as solid residues (yield 16g) and was stored in desiccator and used for subsequent experiments.

Animals:

Wistar rats of either sex, weighing between 150-200g were employed for assessing the anti-diabetic activity. The animals were maintained in the institute animal house under standard laboratory condition of light and temperature (12 h light: 2 h dark cycle; 25±30°C; 35–60% humidity). Food pellets and water ad libitum was provided. The Institutional Animal Ethical Committee meeting held at Shri Guru Ram Rai institute of technology and sciences, Dehradun, India (264/CPCSEA/IAEC/2021/07), approved the study.

Phytochemical screening:

The MLEHS was subjected to qualitative analysis of various phytoconstituents including alkaloids, glycosides, carbohydrates, flavonoids, tannins, terpenoids, saponins, phenols as described in the literature [6,7].

Acute toxicity studies:

Healthy adult Wistar albino rats of either sex, starved overnight were divided into six groups (n = 6) and were orally fed with the methanolic extract in increasing dose levels of 100, 500, 1000 and 2000 mg/kg body weight [8]. The rats were observed continuously for 2 h for behavioral, neurological and autonomic profiles and after 24 and 72 h for any lethality [9].

Induction of non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM):

NIDDM was induced in overnight fasted animals by a single intraperitoneal injection of 60 mg/kg STZ (He media, Mumbai, India) dissolved in citrate buffer (pH 4.5), 15 min after the i.p. administration of 120 mg/kg nicotinamide (Sigma Aldrich Mumbai, India) dissolved in dissolved in normal saline [10]. The blood glucose levels were estimated by glucose oxidase–peroxidase reactive strips (Accu-chek, Roche Diabetes Care, and India). Hyperglycemia was confirmed by the elevated glucose level in the blood, determined at 72 h and then on day 7 after injection. The rats found with blood glucose level more than 200 mg/dl were selected for the study.

Experimental design:

Animals were divided into six groups of six rats each. The extract was administered for 21 days. Group I: normal control rats administered drinking water daily for 21 days; Group II: diabetic control rats administered drinking water daily for 21 days; Group III: diabetic rats administered MLEHS (100 mg/kg); Group IV: diabetic rats administered MLEHS (200 mg/kg); Group V: diabetic rats administered MLEHS (400 mg/kg); Group VI: diabetic rats administered standard drug glibenclamide (0.25 mg/kg) for 21 days.

The effects of administration of MLEHS to normal and diabetic rats were determined by measuring blood glucose levels, serum lipid profiles, liver profile markers, renal profile [11, 12]. Blood glucose level was estimated on days 0, 3,7,14 and 21 of extract administration. All other biochemical parameters were determined on day 21. Serum lipid profiles were measured by an auto analyzer (Hitachi 912).

Statistical Analysis:

Data were statistically evaluated by using two-way ANOVA, followed by followed by Bonferroni test using Graph Pad prism 9 computer software. The levels of significance were taken as p < 0.05, p < 0.01 and p < 0.001. The values are expressed as mean ±SEM.

Results

Acute toxicity study of MLEHS:

The acute oral toxicity of MLEHS showed no toxic signs even after 24 h and 72 h of extract administration. Further, no oral toxicity or mortality was detected even after oral administration of higher doses (up to 2000 mg/kg) of MLEHS for 21 days (one dose per day). This indicates the safety of the extract for prolonged use.

Phytochemical screening of MLEHS:

The phytochemical screening detected the presence of alkaloids, glycosides, carbohydrate, tannins, terpenoids flavonoids and phenols in the MLEHS. (Table 1)

Effect of MLEHS on Blood Glucose Levels:

The blood glucose level increased significantly in STZ and nicotinamide treated group when compared to the normal control group (p<0.001). The STZ and nicotinamide-induced rats were treated with the MLEHS 100mg/kg/ p.o,200mg/kg /p.o and 400mg/kg/p.o for the duration of 21 days. Treatment with MLEHS at the dose of 100mg/kg and 200 mg/kg/p.o shows a marginal reduction in the blood glucose level at the second week (p<0.05, p<0.01) respectively. Treatment with MLEHS at the dose of 400mg/kg/p.o. showed a significant decrease in the blood glucose level at the first week (p<0.05), which further reduced in the second and third weeks (p<0.01, p<0.001) respectively. Treatment with glibenclamide (0.25mg/kg b.w/ p.o) produced a significant decrease in blood glucose level from the first week to the third week (p<0.001). (Table 2) (Figure 1)

Figure 1: Effect of MLEHS on Blood glucose level.

Values are expressed as mean ± SEM (n=6), *P<0.05, **P<0.01 & ***P<0.001 Vs control.

a represents statistically significant versus normal control group, b represents statistically significant versus diabetic control group.

Effects of MLEHS on Lipid Profiles:

The serum total cholesterol, triglyceride, LDL, VLDL level was significantly increased whereas HDL was significantly decreased in STZ-nicotinamide induced diabetic rat when compared to normal control rats (p<0.001). Serum total cholesterol, triglyceride, LDL, VLDL level of diabetic animal treated with MLEHS at a dose of 100mg/kg/p.o, 200mg/kg/p.o and 400mg/kg/p.o showed a significant decrease (p<0.05, p<0.01,p<0.001) respectively and HDL level of diabetic animal treated with MLEHS showed a significant increase (p<0.05, p<0.01 and p<0.001) respectively when compared to STZ-nicotinamide induced diabetic animals. Glibenclamide (0.25mg/kg/p.o) also showed a significant decrease (p<0.001) in serum total cholesterol, triglyceride, LDL, VLDL level, and HDL was significantly increased (p<0.001) when compared to STZ-nicotinamide induced diabetic rats. (Table 3) (Figure 2)

Figure 2: Effect of MLEHS on Lipid level.

Values are expressed as mean ± SEM (n=6). *P<0.05, **P<0.01 & ***P<0.001 Vs control. a represents statistically significant versus normal control group, b represents statistically significant versus diabetic control group. HDL: highdensity lipoprotein; LDL: low-density lipoprotein; VLDL: very-low-density lipoprotein.

Effects of MLEHS on Liver Profile:

The effect of MLEHS at doses of 100, 200 & 400 mg/kg b.w. on liver enzymes (ALP, AST, and ALT). It was found that the MLEHS showed significant (p<0.05, p<0.05 and p<0.01) protection on liver parameters respectively. The standard drug glibenclamide (0.25mg/kg/p.o) showed significant (p<0.001) protection in ALP, AST, ALT when compared STZ-nicotinamide induced diabetic animals. (Table 4) (Figure 3)

Figure 3: Effect of MLEHS on Liver Enzymes.

Values are expressed as mean ± SEM (n=6). *P<0.05, **P<0.01 & ***P<0.001 Vs control. a represents statistically significant versus normal control group, b represents statistically significant versus diabetic control group, ALT: alanine transaminase; AST: aspartate transaminase; ALP: alkaline phosphate.

Effects of MLEHS on Renal Profile:

The serum urea level was significantly (p<0.001) increased in STZnicotinamide induced diabetic rats when compared to control rats. Serum urea level of diabetic rat treated with MLEHS 100mg/kg/p.o, 200mg/kg/p.o showed marginal decrease (p<0.05) and 400mg/kg/p.o showed significant decrease (p<0.01), in serum urea level when compared to STZ-nicotinamide induced diabetic rat. Glibenclamide (0.25mg/kg b.w/p.o) treatment showed a significant (p<0.001) decrease in serum urea when compared to STZnicotinamide induced diabetic animals. (Table 5) (Figure 4)

Figure 4: Effect of MLEHS on Serum Creatinine and Blood Urea.

Values are expressed as mean ± SEM (n=6). *P<0.05, **P<0.01 & ***P<0.001 Vs control. a represents statistically significant versus normal control group, b represents statistically significant versus diabetic control group.

Discussion

Plant extracts are thought to have anti-diabetic properties due to a combination of phytochemicals or single components. Alkaloids, phenolics, flavonoids, glycosides, and tannins are the phytochemicals responsible for ant diabetic effects [13]. Phytochemical screening of Holmskioldia Sanguinea detected the presence of alkaloids, glycosides, carbohydrate, tannins, terpenoids flavonoids and phenols in the MLEHS (Table 1). However, some of the medicinal plant's traditional uses are undocumented, resulting in a loss of knowledge and making it unreliable. As a result, it has become vital to document and disseminate all of the knowledge to assure its quality and preservation. The present study is the introductory evaluation of the ant diabetic potential of the MLEHS.

Streptozotocin is commonly used in medical research to create a type II diabetic animal model. STZ functions as a nitric oxide donor in pancreatic cells and is a powerful DNA methylating agent. Because of their low quantities of free radical scavenging enzymes, β-cells are particularly vulnerable to nitric oxide and free radical damage.

Table 1: Phytochemical Screening of The Methanolic Leaf Extract Of Holmskioldia Sanguinea

Streptozotocin (STZ) and nicotinamide (NA) have both been offered as ways to produce experimental diabetes in rats. STZ is well known for causing pancreatic β-cell destruction, whereas NA is given to rats to protect insulinsecreting cells from STZ. STZ is carried into β-cells via the glucose transporter GLUT2, where it induces DNA damage and increases the activity of the DNA repair enzyme poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP-1) [14].

MLEHS appears significantly diminished the fasting blood glucose level in STZ-nicotinamide induced diabetic rats in a dose-dependent manner (Table 2). This is apparent from the analysis that treatment with Holmskioldia Sanguinea methanolic leaf extract was effective in the management of blood glucose levels when compared to the diabetes control group at the end of the 21 days.

Table 2: Effect of Mlehs on Blood Glucose Levels

It has been observed that hyperlipidemia is a complication associated with hyperglycemia. Lipid plays an important role in the pathogenesis of complications involved with diabetes mellitus. During the study, it was observed that increase in, total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL, VLDL, and a decrease in the level of HDL in STZ-nicotinamide induced diabetic rats as compared to normal control rats (Table 3).

Table 3: Effect of Mlehs on Lipid Profile

The MLEHS showed a significant decrease in total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL, VLDL, and a significant increase in HDL level when compared with the diabetic control group. The ant diabetic activity of MLEHS was compared with glibenclamide, a standard hypoglycemia drug.

The possible mechanism by which Holmskioldia Sanguinea brings about its ant diabetic action in diabetic rats may be by potentiating the insulin effect of plasma by increasing glucokinase activity. The potent ant diabetic effect of MLEHS suggests the presence of potent ant diabetic active constituents, which produced an ant hyperglycemic effect in diabetic rats.

The result of blood glucose levels, lipid profile confirmed the potent ant diabetic activity of MLEHS. So, the MLEHS showed ant diabetic activity. The result also showed significant decrease in the liver Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP), Aspartate amino transferase (AST), Alanine amino transferase (ALT) (Table 4),

Table 4: Effect of Mlehs on Liver Profile

along with serum urea level and serum creatinine level when compared to control group (Table 5). The MLEHS showed significant anti diabetic activity in a dose dependent manner. Hence, it was concluded that MLEHS is more effective at a dose of 400mg/kg by improving ant diabetic symptoms which can be used in the treatment of diabetes.

Table 5: Effect of Mlehs on Renal Profile

Further studies are necessary to examine the underlying mechanism of hypoglycemic effect and to isolate the active compound (s) responsible for antidiabetic activities. This work will be useful for further diabetes mellitus and its related diseases research worker to develop a new entity for the treatment of diabetes mellitus.

Acknowledgements

Authors are thankful to the staff of Shri Guru Ram Rai University, Dehradun, Uttarakhand for providing facilities and encouragement, Dr. S.K Singh, Botanical survey of India, Dehradun for identification of plant.

Author Info

Rajeev Sati^*, Shivali Sagar and Monika Bisht M. Pharma, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shri Guru Ram Rai University, Dehradun, Uttarakhand, 248001, India
Assistant Professor, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shri Guru Ram Rai University, Dehradun, Uttarakhand, 248001, India

Citation: Rajeev Sati, Shivali Sagar, Monika Bisht. Antidiabetic Activity of Methanolic Leaf Extract of Holmskioldia Sanguinea in Streptozotocin-Nicotinamide Induced Type 2 Diabetic Rats. J Diabetes Metab, 2022, 13(7): 946.

Received: 07-Jul-2022, Manuscript No. jdm-22-18822; Editor assigned: 09-Jul-2022, Pre QC No. jdm-22-18822(PQ); Reviewed: 23-Jul-2022, QC No. jdm-22-18822; Revised: 28-Jul-2022, Manuscript No. jdm-22-18822(R); Published: 04-Aug-2022, DOI: 10.35248/2155-6156.1000946

Copyright: © 2022 Sati R, et al. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.