Protective role of Helicteres isora plant extract on plasma and tissue glycoprotein components in streptozotocin induced hyperglycemic rats

The present investigation was carried out to evaluate the protective role of Helicteres isora plant extract on glycoprotein metabolism in streptozotocin (STZ) induced type 2 diabetic rats. Helicteres isora plant extract was administered orally (200 mg/kg body weight) for 45 days to normal and diabetic rats. The effects of Helicteres isora plant extract on plasma and tissue glycoproteins (hexose, hexosamine, sialic acid and fucose) were determined. The levels of plasma glycoproteins containing hexose, hexosamine, sialic acid and fucose were significantly increased in diabetic rats when compared with normal control rats. There was a significant decrease in the level of sialic acid and elevated levels of hexose, hexosamine and fucose in the liver and kidney of STZ induced diabetic rats. On oral administration of Helicteres isora plant extract to diabetic rats showed decreased levels of plasma glycoproteins. The level of tissue sialic acid was increased whereas the levels of tissue hexose, hexosamine and fucose were reversed to near normal. The present study indicates that the Helicteres isora plant extract possesses a significant protective effect on glycoprotein metabolism in addition to its anti-diabetic effect.