Antioxidant Potential of Tragia Involucrata Linn on Streptozotocin Induced Oxidative Stress in Rats

In Traditional Ayurvedic system of treatment Tragia involucrata Linn. is intended to use for diabetic patients has been screened for antioxidant activity. For antioxidant studies, aqueous ethanolic extract of Tragia involucrata (AEETI) was administered orally for 28 days at a dose of 250 and 500 mg/kg body weight to StreptozotocinNicotinamide induced Wistar rats. All the animals were sacrificed on the 29 day and the levels of LPO, SOD, CAT, GPx and GSH in kidney and liver of control and experimental rats were studied. The AEETI exhibited significant antioxidant activity showing increased levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), reduced glutathione (GSH) and decreased level of lipid peroxidation. These results showed that treatment with AEETI lowers Streptozotocin induced LPO and alters SOD, CAT, GPx and GSH enzymes to reduce oxidative stress. INTRODUCTION: Reactive oxygen species (ROS) plays major role in the pathogenesis of diabetes and its complications, free radicals have toxic effect on tissues and increase in the blood glucose molecules also in certain condition induces free radical generations. These free radicals by non enzymatic glycosylation of proteins and polyol pathway change the oxidative stress in diabetes. With the help of antioxidants reactive oxygen species can be scavenged. It has been noticed that the alterations in the anti oxidant enzymes activity and its tissue content will results in diabetes. The supplementation with anti oxidant enzymes like superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione reductase (GSH), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) provides greater defence against free radical induced damage . Tragia involucrata Linn (Euphorbiaceae) is a perennial evergreen, climbing hispid herb or shrub with scattered stinging hairs. Widely distributed in the Indian subcontinent, it is locally known as senthoty or poonaikanch chedi in Tamil Nadu 2, . The traditional Ayurvedic practitioners of Kerala use all parts of this herb both externally and internally in the treatment of many common as well as complicated diseases. They also use this herb in treatment of bronchitis, asthma, veneral disease, skin infections and diabetes . The objective of this investigation was to ascertain the scientific basis for the anti oxidant potential of aqueous ethanolic extract of Tragia involucrata (AEETI) in StreptozotocinNicotinamide induced diabetic rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Collection and Authentication of Plant Material: The whole plant of Tragia involucrata Linn was collected from the waste lands of Padur and Kelambakkam, Kanchipuram dist., Tamil nadu. The plant material was identified and authenticated by Prof. Dr. D. Narasimhan, Centre for Floristic Research, Madras Christian College, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India. A