Antihyperglycaemic effect of Scoparia dulcis: Effect on key metabolic enzymes of carbohydrate metabolism in streptozotocin-induced diabetes

Abstract

In experimental diabetes, enzymes of glucose and fatty acid metabolism are markedly altered. We investigated the effect of Scoparia dulcis L. plant extract on hepatic key metabolic enzymes of carbohydrate metabolism in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Scoparia dulcis plant extracts (SPEt) (aqueous, ethanol and chloroform) were orally administered at doses of 50, 100 and 200mg/kg body weight respectively for 3 weeks, after which hexokinase, glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase, glucose 6-phosphatase, fructose 1,6-bisphosphatase in liver and glycogen in liver and muscle were assayed. Blood glucose, glucose 6-phosphatase and fructose 1,6-bisphosphatase were significantly increased and plasma insulin, hexokinase, glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase and glycogen were significantly decreased in diabetic rats. Diabetic rats treated with SPEt significantly reversed all these changes to near normal. Aqueous extract of Scoparia dulcis was comparatively better than ethanol and chloroform extracts. These results indicate that the aqueous extract of Scoparia dulcis showed anti-hyperglycaemic effect by attenuating the above biochemical alterations in streptozotocin diabetes. © 2004 Taylor & Francis Ltd.