Antihyperglycemic effect of Codariocalyx motorius modulated carbohydrate metabolic enzyme activities in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

In the present study, the effects of ethanolic root extract of Codariocalyx motorius (CMRt) on blood glucose, insulin, and carbohydrate metabolic enzymes were studied in experimental diabetic rats. Streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats received CMRt orally at the doses of 100 and 200 mg/kg bw daily for 30 days. CMRt treatment showed decrease in blood glucose and glycosylated hemoglobin with improved serum insulin levels. We observed increase in carbohydrate metabolizing enzymes including hexokinase, glucose-6-phosphate-dehydrogenase and glycogen content in liver of CMRt-treated rats with reduction in the levels of glucose-6-phosphatase and fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase. Further, immunohistochemical staining of insulin showed preservation of pancreatic β-cells in CMRt-treated diabetic rats. RP-HPLC analysis indicated the presence of chlorogenic acid, myricetin, quercetin and gallic acid. Hence, this study clearly demonstrates the antidiabetic effect of CMRt by normalizing the key enzymes of carbohydrate metabolism and restoring the functions of pancreas thus proving its traditional value.