Effect of Isolated Fraction from Biophytum reinwardtii on Dexamethasone Induced Insulin Resistance in Rats

Abstract

The Fraction from Methanolic extract whole plant of Biophytum reinwardtii (HEMBR) is traditionally used in the treatment of diabetes. Rats were treated with a standardized dose of Dexamethasone for 14 days and the effect of HEMBR at the doses of 50 and 100 mg/kg, p.o. on plasma blood glucose level, serum triglyceride level, glucose uptake in skeletal muscle, levels of hepatic antioxidant enzymes (GSH, SOD and catalase), and body weight were observed. HEMBR showed a significant decrease in plasma glucose and serum triglyceride levels (p < 0.01) at the dose of 50 and 100 mg/kg, p.o. and also stimulated glucose uptake in skeletal muscle. The levels of antioxidant enzymes, GSH, SOD, and catalase were significantly increased (p < 0.01). Hence it can be concluded that Biophytum reinwardtii may prove to be effective in the treatment of Type-II Diabetes mellitus owing to its ability to decrease insulin resistance.