Endocrine Abstracts

Introduction: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the glycaemic control, antioxidant, pancreas and liver protective effect of 2β-hydroxybetulinic acid 3β-caprylate (HBAC) from Euryale ferox Salisb. seeds on streptozotocin induced diabetic rats.

Materials & methods: The active principle was isolated from Euryale ferox Salisb. seeds extract by utilizing chromatographic techniques. The rats were divided into seven experimental groups: Gp 1-normal; Gp2- normal+HBAC (60 mg/kg p.o.); Gp3- diabetic control; Gp 4- Diabetic+HBAC (20 mg/kg p.o.); Gp5- Diabetic+HBAC (40 mg/kg p.o.); Gp6- Diabetic+HBAC (60 mg/kg p.o.) and Gp 7- Diabetic+Glibenclamide (10mg/kg p.o.). Biochemical estimation, free radical scavenging examination and histopathological study was performed at the end of experimentation i.e. on 28th day.

Results: The active principle isolated and identified with spectral data as 2β-hydroxybetulinic acid 3β-caprylate (HBAC). It was detected for the first time that HBAC has improvised the glycaemic control in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats. Furthermore, it is remarkable to note that it exhibited excellent free radical scavenging property and pancreas and hepatoprotective property as well, supported by histopathological examination. One of the mechanisms of action of HBAC appears to be stimulating the release of insulin from pancreatic β-cells.

Conclusion: HBAC improved the glycaemic control, reduced the free radical activity along with corrected glycemic control, lipid profile, and enhanced level of insulin along with improvement in pancreas and hepatoprotective architecture. Considering the above results, HBAC shows potential to develop a medicine for diabetes as combinatorial or mono-therapy.