Protective role of extracts of neem seeds in diabetes caused by streptozotocin in rats

Protective role of extracts of neem seeds in diabetes caused by streptozotocin in rats
Journal of Ethnopharmacology
Volume 90, Issues 2-3, February 2004, Pages 185-189

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S. Gupta a, M. Kataria b, P. K. Gupta a, S. Murganandan a and R. C. Yashroy c

a Division of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar 243 122, U.P., India
b Division of Biochemistry, Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar 243 122, U.P., India
c Division of Biophysics, Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar 243 122, U.P., India

Received 25 September 2002;
revised 16 August 2003;
accepted 2 September 2003. ;
Available online 19 December 2003.

Abstract

Effect of petroleum ether extracts of kernel (NSK) and husk (NSH) of neem (Azadirachta indica A. Juss, Meliaceae) seeds on the prevention of oxidative stress caused by streptozotocin (STZ) was investigated. Diabetes mellitus was induced in adult male Wistar rats after administration of STZ (55 mg/kg b.wt., i.p., tail vein).The effect of NSK (2 gm/kg, b.wt.) and NSH (0.9 gm/kg, b.wt.) orally for 28 days was investigated in diabetic rats. Insulin-treated diabetic rats (6 U/kg, i.p., 28 days.) served as positive control. Diabetic rats given normal saline served as diabetic control. Rats that neither received STZ nor drugs served as normal control. Serum creatine phosphokinase (CPK) increased in diabetic rats was significantly decreased on insulin, NSK, and NSH treatments. The decrease in activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) and increase in lipid peroxidation (LPO) of erythrocytes as observed in diabetes was regained after insulin, NSH, and NSK treatments. However, there was insignificant improvement in SOD, CAT, and LPO of kidney on NSK and NSH treatment. In spite of increased CAT and SOD activities in liver and heart, LPO was also increased in diabetic rats. Insulin, NSH, and NSK treatments significantly protected animals from cardiac damage but not hepatic. Results suggest that NSH and NSK prevent oxidative stress caused by STZ in heart and erythrocytes. However, no such preventive effect was observed on renal and hepatic toxicity.

Author Keywords: Azadirachta indica; Streptozotocin; Diabetes; Cardioprotective effect; Antioxidant