Effects of Cassia alata leaf extract towards liver and renal microsomal oxidative stress in hyperglycemic rats

The effects of Cassia alata aqueous leaves extract, a traditional medicinal herb, was assessed in the liver and renal microsomal of streptozotocin (STZ) induced hyperglycemic rats. In diabetes, hyperglycemia increases the production of free radicals and simultaneously weakens the antioxidant defense mechanism. This leads to the damages on cellular organelles and enzymes, increasing lipid peroxidation, and develops insulin resistance in the body. Cassia alata extract was administered orally (200mg/kg) for 20 days to the hyperglycemic rats. The effects of Cassia alata in the liver and renal microsomal were measured and analyzed based on the levels of lipid peroxidation malondialdehyde (MDA), antioxidant enzymes catalase (CAT), and the total antioxidant of 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH). Treatments with Cassia alata showed a significant decrease of lipid peroxidation MDA levels in the liver and renal microsomal as compared to the control groups. The results also recorded an increase in the total antioxidant level of DPPH. Furthermore, the level of CAT enzyme in the group treated with Cassia alata has significantly increased in comparison to the control group. The results indicated that Cassia alata extracts have suppressed the oxidative stress in hyperglycemic induced rat and at the same time increased the enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidant.