The potential protective effects of Centaurium umbellatum on hyperglycemia and lipid profile in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

The aim of the present study was to explore the anti-diabetic activity of Centaurium umbellatum (CU) in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. Diabetes was induced by a single intraperitoneal injection of STZ (65 mg/kg bw). Normal and diabetic rats were treated with CU aqueous leaf extract, at a dose of 200 mg/kg bw, for 4 weeks. Serum glucose and insulin concentrations, hepatic glycogen content, serum lipid profile and glucose tolerance test were performed. CU treatment significantly decreased serum glucose levels and improved glucose homeostasis in STZ-induced diabetic rats by stimulating the few surviving beta cells to release more insulin. The hepatic glycogen content was markedly increased by CU treatment in STZ-induced diabetic rats. The hypolipidemic action of CU leaf aqueous extract was confirmed by a significant decrease in the levels of triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and an increase in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLC) in (STZ + CU) group compared to STZ-induced diabetic rats. The present data suggested that C. umbellatum leaf aqueous extract has both hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic effects which can help the cure and management of diabetes.  2013 Trade Science Inc. INDIA Regular Paper