Pharmacological evaluation of antidiabetic and antihyperlipidemic activity of Chenopodium album root extract in male Wistar albino rat models

Abstract

Aim: The roots of Chenopodium album Linn (C. album) are traditionally used for the treatment of diabetes. In the present communication, we investigated the antidiabetic effect of methanolic extract of C. album roots in male Wistar albino rat models. Materials and Methods: Diabetes was induced in overnight fasted rats by a single intraperitoneal injection of a freshly prepared streptozotocin (STZ) solution (60 mg/kg body weight). Blood glucose and plasma insulin levels were measured at the end of the study. Glucometer and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method were used for the determination of blood glucose and plasma insulin levels, respectively. At the end of treatments, various biochemical parameters such as triglyceride, cholesterol, insulin, low-density lipoproteins (LDL), serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase (SGPT), and serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (SGOT) were examined. The liver and pancreas were isolated for histopathology examinations. Body weight measurements were done on a weekly basis to determine the effect of treatments. Results and Discussions: The phytochemical screening of C. album methanolic extract indicated the presence of proteins, alkaloids, saponin glycosides, amino acids and flavonoids. C. album extract showed a significant decline in fasting blood glucose level. Further, a high dose (HD) of C. album extract significantly normalized insulin level. The results revealed that the methanolic extract of C. album roots was effective in normalizing plasma lipid status and decreased cholesterol, triglyceride, and LDL levels. The results revealed that HD of C. album extract had a positive effect on body weight of treated rats. A nonsignificant increase in SGPT and SGOT enzyme activity was observed in STZ treated animals when compared to the control animals. Treatment with glibenclamide (10 mg/kg) and all the doses of C. album extract showed a decreased pattern of these liver enzymatic activities as compared to the diabetes group. Conclusion: The results suggest that the methanolic extract of C. album roots is effective in the prevention of experimentally induced diabetes substantiate its traditional claim.