STUDY OF STEROID INDUCED HYPERGLYCEMIA AGAINST TRADITIONAL HYPOGLYCEMIC PLANT (Gynura procumbens) EXTRACT IN RAT MODEL

Abstract

Now a days corticosteroids are used in various therapeutic purposes and longtime use of the drug elevates the blood glucose level results in steroid induced hyperglycemia. Therefore, treatment of hyperglycemia by synthetic drug may develop health risks along with adverse effects. Moreover, present study was undertaken to examine the efficacy of Gynura procumbens plant on steroid induced hyperglycemia in rats. Fifteen Long evan male rats were randomly divided into three different groups (n=5 in each group) for 21 days. Group T0 served as negative control, Group T1 served as positive control was treated with dexamethasone intramuscularly @ 5 mg/kg body wt. Group T2 served as treatment group injected with dexamethasone and Gynura procumbens ethanolic extract @ 150 mg/kg body wt. orally for 21 consecutive days. During and at the end of the experiment blood glucose, lipid profile, HbA1c, Plasma insulin and live body weights were recorded. Histopathology of rat pancreases was also observed. Blood glucose level were significantly increased after steroid treatment compared to negative control group. Gynura procumbens treatment for 21 days does not have any significant effects on blood glucose level. Steroid treatment significantly reduces body weight. However, Gynura procumbens does not have any significant effects on body weight. Similarly Gynura procumbens does not have any effects on steroid induced elevated HbA1c, lipid profile and insulin level. Histopathological evaluation indicates hyperplastic growth over the Langerhans cells in pancreas of steroid treatment rat which were not altered by Gynura procumbens treatment. Finally this study shows that chronic steroid therapy induced hyperglycemia in rat is irresponsive to Gynura procumbens treatment.