Vinca ( Catharanthus roseus ) Extracts Attenuate Alloxan-Induced Hyperglycemia and Oxidative Stress in Rats

Abstract

The present study was carried out to investigate the effectiveness of Catharanthus roseus extracts in modulating the hyperglycemia and oxidative stress (OS) of alloxan-induced diabetic rats. Treatment of rats with alloxan caused a significant (p≤0.05) increased in serum glucose concentration by the ratio of 273.61% compared to normal control group. Supplementation of the rat diets with 300, 400 and 500 mg/kg of ethanolic Catharanthus roseus stems extract (CRSE) and ethanolic Catharanthus roseus leaves extract (CRLE) decreased this value which recorded 184.72, 113.47 and 76.39%, and 139.86, 112.91 and 57.36%, respectively. The rate of attenuation exhibited a dose dependent increase with both extracts consumption. Also, CRLE is more effective in the attenuation process than CRSE. The same behavior was recorded for the biomarkers of OS levels in serum i.e. malonaldehyde (MDA). In contrary, significant (P≤0.05) improving in different antioxidant defense systems in both serum (glutathione fractions, GSH), and RBC's (antioxidant enzymes including glutathione peroxidase, GSH-Px, glutathione reductase, GSH-Rd and catalases, CAT) were recorded. Such biochemical changes observed in the present study were confirmed by the histopathological examination results. In conclusion, Catharanthus roseus possess a variety of beneficial activities and have the potential to impart therapeutic effect holistically in complicated disorders like diabetes and its complications.