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Effect of Rebaudioside A, a diterpenoid on glucose homeostasis in STZ-induced diabetic rats

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Abstract

Rebaudioside A (Reb A), a major constituent of Stevia rebaudiana, was recently proposed as an insulinotropic agent. The aim of this investigation was to evaluate the antihyperglycemic effect of Reb A on the activities of hepatic enzymes of carbohydrate metabolism in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. Diabetes was induced in adult male Albino Wistar rats, weighing 180–200 g, by a single intraperitoneal injection at a dose of STZ (40 mg/kg body weight). Diabetic rats showed significant (P < 0.05) increase in the levels of plasma glucose and glycosylated hemoglobin and significant (P < 0.05) decrease in the levels of plasma insulin and hemoglobin. Activities of gluconeogenic enzymes such as glucose-6-phosphatase and fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase were significantly (P < 0.05) increased while hexokinase and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase were significantly (P < 0.05) decreased in the liver along with glycogen. Oral treatment with Reb A to diabetic rats significantly (P < 0.05) decreased blood glucose and reversed these hepatic carbohydrate metabolizing enzymes in a significant manner. Histopathology changes of pancreas confirmed the protective effects of Reb A in diabetic rats. Thus, the results show that Reb A possesses an antihyperglycemic activity and provide evidence for its traditional usage in the control of diabetes.

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Abbreviations

ATP:

Adenosine triphosphate

DNA:

Deoxyribonucleic acid

GLUT-2:

Glucose transporter-2

Hb:

Hemoglobin

HbA1c:

Glycosylated hemoglobin

NAD:

Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide

NADPH:

Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate

Reb A:

Rebaudioside A

STZ:

Streptozotocin

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  1. Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Faculty of Science, Annamalai University, Annamalainagar, 608 002, Tamil Nadu, India

    Ramalingam Saravanan, Kaliyappan Vengatash babu & Vinayagam Ramachandran

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  1. Ramalingam Saravanan
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  2. Kaliyappan Vengatash babu
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Correspondence to Ramalingam Saravanan.

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Saravanan, R., Vengatash babu, K. & Ramachandran, V. Effect of Rebaudioside A, a diterpenoid on glucose homeostasis in STZ-induced diabetic rats. J Physiol Biochem 68, 421–431 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13105-012-0156-0

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