Antioxidant and protective effect of Curculigo orchioides on liver, pancreas and kidney tissue in alloxan induced diabetic experimental rats

Abstract

Background

The aim of this study was to investigate the antioxidant activity of Curculigo orchioides in alloxan induced diabetic rats.

Methods

Diabetes was induced experimentally in 12-h fasted rats by intraperitoneal injections of alloxan (120 mg/kg b.w.) and C. orchioides (200 mg/kg b.w.) was administered orally for 21 days.

Results

Untreated diabetic rats in comparison with normal rats showed significantly lower mean activities of antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase), lower mean levels of non-enzymatic antioxidants (reduced glutathione, vitamin C, vitamin E), elevated mean levels of pancreatic malondialdehyde (MDA), elevated mean activities of serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP). Following oral administration of C. orchioides (200 mg/kg b.w./day) to diabetic rats for 21 days exhibited significant improvement of the above parameters. Histopathological studies showed significant changes like cytoplasmic vacuolization of hepatocytes, leukocytic infiltration and edema in the liver and kidney of alloxan-induced diabetic rats. These histopathological abnormalities were found to be normalized after treatment with C. orchioides extract.

Conclusion

These results suggest that the methanolic extract C. orchioides enhanced the antioxidant defense against reactive oxygen species produced under hyperglycemic conditions, hence protecting the liver, pancreatic and kidney tissue injuries.