Effect of 2-hydroxy 4- methoxy benzoic acid isolated from the roots of Hemidesmus indicus on blood glucose and tissue lipid peroxidation in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

Effect of 2-hydroxy 4methoxy benzoic acid isolated from the roots of Hemidesmus indicus on blood glucose and tissue lipid peroxidation in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats M. Gayathri, K. Kannabiran* *School of Biotechnology, Chemical and Biomedical Engineering,VIT University, Vellore-632 014, Tamil Nadu, India. For correspondence:Dr. K.Kannabiran,Professor, School of Biotechnology, Chemical and Biomedical Engineering,VIT University,Vellore632014, Tamil Nadu, India E-mail:[email protected] Received on:16-12-2008; Accepted on :25-02-2009 ABSTRACT The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of 2Hydroxy 4methoxy benzoic acid (HMBA) isolated from the roots of Hemidemus indicus on plasma glucose, serum α-amylase and α-glucosidase activity and on the increased levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), a marker of lipid peroxidation and on depleted levels of glutathione (GSH) in the liver, kidney and in the pancreas of streptozotocin-induced oxidative stress in diabetic rats. Treatment with HMBA (500 ìg/kg bw) for 7 weeks reduced the blood glucose level and the formation of MDA in the liver, kidney and pancreas. The activities of α-amylase and α-glucosidase were significantly (F>0.05; P<0.001) decreased on HMBA treatment. The GSH content was restored to the normal level of control group on HMBA treatment. Our results support that the antioxidant activity of HMBA occurs by quenching the lipid oxidation and restoring the GSH level. Based on the results HMBA have protective effect on liver, kidney and pancreas apart from hypoglycemic effect in STZ-induced oxidative stress.