METABOLIC EFFECTS OF TULBAGHIA VIOLACEA HARV. IN A DIABETIC MODEL.

Authors

  • Kogi Moodley University of KwaZulu-Natal
  • Irene Mackraj University of KwaZulu-Natal

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.21010/ajtcam.v13i4.16

Keywords:

Tulbaghia violacea, STZ-induced diabetic rats, hypoglycemic activity.

Abstract

Background: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a cluster of metabolic diseases with chronic hyperglycemia as a defining feature, associated with long-term organ damage and dysfunction. In this study we examined the effect of Tulbaghia violacea rhizome methanolic extract on blood glucose and lipids in normal and streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Materials and Methods: Male Wistar rats (250-300g) were injected intraperitoneally (i.p.) with streptozotocin (60mg/kg body weight) to induce diabetes; or provided with distilled water for the control (CON) (3 ml/kg/b.w.) animals and treatment with TVL (60mg/kg.b.w). The rats were divided into 5 groups of 6 animals per group as follows: Non-diabetic control (NDC)-received distilled water (3ml/kg.b.w), Non-diabetic TVL (ND+TVL)-received TVL (60mh/kg b.w), Diabetic control (DC)-received distilled water (3ml/kg.b.w), Diabetic experimental (D+TVL)-received TVL (60mg/kg.b.w), Diabetic experimental (D+M)-received Metformin (250 mg/kg.b.w). All doses were administered daily via oral gavage. Results: TVL-treated animals showed reduced blood glucose, increased plasma insulin, reduced plasma TG, TC, VLDL and increased HDL. Furthermore we found decreased thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and increased superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and nitric oxide significantly. Regarding renal parameters we found increased blood urea nitrogen (BUN), and improved renal morphology in TVL-treated animals. Conclusion: Tulbaghia violacea has a hypoglycaemic effect which could due to its effects on multiple pathways of the hyperglycemic process. Further work is needed to identify the mechanism of its antidiabetic effect.

Author Biographies

Kogi Moodley, University of KwaZulu-Natal

Department of Human Physiology School of Laboratory Medicine and Medical Sciences

Irene Mackraj, University of KwaZulu-Natal

Department of Human Physiology School of Laboratory Medicine and Medical Sciences

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Published

2016-07-03

How to Cite

Moodley, K., & Mackraj, I. (2016). METABOLIC EFFECTS OF TULBAGHIA VIOLACEA HARV. IN A DIABETIC MODEL. African Journal of Traditional, Complementary and Alternative Medicines, 13(4), 113–122. https://doi.org/10.21010/ajtcam.v13i4.16

Issue

Section

Research Papers