Abstract

Objective: To examine the effects of Sapium ellipticum (S. ellipticum) extract on hepatic activities of glucokinase and glucose-6-phosphatase in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic Wistar rats. Methods: STZ-induced diabetic Wistar rats (four groups, n = 8) were used in this study. S. ellipticum was assessed at two different doses, 400 and 800 mg/kg BW, in comparison with metformin (12 mg/kg BW) as a standard antidiabetic drug. All treatments were done orally (p.o), twice daily at 8 h interval for a period of 21 days. Glucose-6-phosphatase and glucokinase activities were respectively determined. Hepatic and muscle glycogen contents were estimated as well. Results: STZ caused significant decrease in glucose-6-phosphatase activity and concomitant increase in glucokinase activity. S. ellipticum especially at 400 mg/kg significantly restored glucokinase activity by 40.31% and glucose-6-phosphatase activity by 37.29%. These effects were though significantly lower than that of metformin which enhanced glucokinase activity by 94.76% and simultaneously inhibited glucose-6-phosphatase activity by 49.15%. S. ellipticum also improved hepatic glycogen level by 32.37% and 27.06% at 400 and 800 mg/kg, respectively. HPLC-MS analysis of active S. ellipticum fractions in dynamic MRM mode (using the optimized compound-specific parameters) revealed among other active compounds, the presence of amentoflavone, which has been associated with anti-diabetic function. Conclusions: The ability of S. ellipticum extract to concurrently inhibit glucose-6-phosphatase and activate glucokinase in this study suggests that it may be a treatment option for type 2 diabetes patients and the presence of amentoflavone in the plant extract may account for its anti-diabetic potential.

Authors and Affiliations