Preventive effect of Catharanthus roseus (Linn.) against high-fructose diet-induced insulin resistance and oxida-tive stress in male Wistar rats

High intake of dietary fructose has been shown to exert a number of adverse metabolic effects in humans and experimental animals. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether Catharanthus roseus (L.) G. Don (Apocynaceae) leaf powder alleviates high-fructose diet-induced insulin resistance and oxidative stress in rats. Adult male Wistar rats of body weight around 200 g were divided into four groups, two of which were fed with standard pellet diet and the other two with high fructose (66%) diet. C. roseus leaf powder suspension in water (100 mg/kg body weight/day) was administered orally to each group of the standard pellet diet fed rats and the high fructose diet fed rats for 60 days. Fructose fed rats (F-group) showed hyperglycemia, hyperinsulinemia, insulin resistance and hyperlipidemia (P < 0.05). C. roseus treatment in fructose fed rats (F+CR-group) prevented the rise in glucose levels by 32.2%, insulin by 46.4%, and impaired insulin sensitivity by 63.6%. C. roseus treatment completely prevented the fructose induced plasma lipid alterations. Regarding liver antioxidant status, oxidative stress was observed in fructose fed rats (F-group), while C. roseus treatment in F+CR-group prevented the fructose induced oxidative stress. Our data indicate the preventive role of C. roseus against fructose-induced insulin resistance and oxidative stress; hence this plant can be used as an adjuvant for the prevention and/or management of insulin resistance and disorders related to it.