Biochemical parameters in diabetic pregnant rats treated with Bauhinia holophylla aqueous extract

Materials and methods Diabetes was induced by streptozotocin (40 mg/kg) in virgin female Wistar rats. After diabetes status confirmation, rats were mated. The pregnant diabetic rats were divided in four experimental groups (n minimum=12 animals/group): Non-diabetic; Non-diabetic Treated; Diabetic and Diabetic Treated. Oral administration of leaves aqueous extract of Bauhinia holophylla was given to non-diabetic and diabetic pregnant rats at increasing doses: 200mg/kg between day 0 and 7 of pregnancy, 400 mg/kg between day 8 and 14 and 800 mg/kg between day 15 and 21. On day 21 of pregnancy, all rats were anesthetized and killed, and the blood and liver were collected. The biochemical serum parameters (glycemic level, alanine aminotransferase [ALT], protein, cholesterol, triglycerides, High-density level lipoprotein [HDL]) and hepatic oxidative stress biomarkers (malondialdehyde [MDA], superoxide dismutase [SOD], catalase, total glutathione, thiol group) were analyze. Analysis of variance followed by Tukey's test was used. Differences were considered statistically significant when p<0.05. Results Non-diabetic and diabetic rats presented no glycemic changes. All the experimental groups showed decrease values in HDL levels compared to control group. Both diabetic groups showed higher levels of triglycerides, ALT, and MDA, and decreasing levels in catalase. Moreover, the treatment with B. holophylla in diabetic group decreased triglycerides and cholesterol levels and increased HDL compared to diabetic non-treated animals.