Tinospora cordifolia regulates lipid metabolism in allaxon induced diabetes in rats

Abstract

The present study was carried out to investigate the antidyslipidemic activity of Tinospora cordifolia stem extract in alloxan-induced (150 mg/kg body wt.) diabetic rats. There was significant increase in plasma markers of diabetic-dyslipidemia namely: the levels of glucose, glycosylated hemoglobin(Hb_A1c)  lipid peroxide, total lipid and free fatty acids (FFA).The abnormalities with lipid metabolism was .accompanied with increase in the lipids and apoprotein levels of serum very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) and low density lipoprotein (LDL) following decrease in high density lipoprotein (HDL)  and diminution of plasma lecithin cholesterol acyltransferase(LCAT ) and  post-heparin lipolytic activity (PHLA ).The alteration in lipoprotein pattern was associated with inhibition of hepatic lipolytic (LPL) and antioxidant enzymes; superoxide desmutase(SOD) and catalase as well as decreased excretion of bile acids through feces of diabetic rats. Oral administration of Tinospora cordifolia stem extract (500 mg/kg body weight) for 15 days in dyslipidemic animals resulted in significant decrease in plasma glucose, Hb_A1c lipid peroxide, total lipid and FFA. The decrease in the plasma level of lipid peroxide and lipid and apoprotein components of VLDL and LDL were also accompanied by stimulation of plasma PHLA, LCAT and hepatic LPL, SOD and catalase activities.  Lipid and apoprotein level of HDL were also recovered partially by the treatment with root extract. Although anti diabetic effect of T. cordifolia  was less than glibenclamide, however, its anti dyslipidemic activity was more pronounced in above test model .The  result of  present study leads to research and development of a potent antidyslipidemic drug from Tinospora cordifolia.