Anti-diabetic and anti-cataract effects of Chromolaena odorata Linn., in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

Ethnopharmacological relevance: Chromolaena odorata Linn., is used in traditional Indian medicine in the treatment of diabetes and eye problems. Aim of the study: The present study was designed to investigate the effect of the ethanol extract Chromolaena odorata leaves (ACO) in streptozotocin (STZ; 45 mg/kg, i.v) induced diabetes and cataract in rats. Materials and methods: Different doses of ACO (200 and 400 mg/kg) was administered once daily for eight weeks to STZ-induced diabetic rats. To know the mechanism of action of title plant, AUC(glucose), AUCi(nsulin), Homeostatic Model Assessment (HOMA), insulin tolerance test (ITT) and glucose uptake by rat hemi-diaphragms were carried out. Further, cataract score was taken once in a week upto eight weeks and opacity index was measured. HPLC fingerprinting profiling of ACO was also carried out. Results: Administration of ACO exhibited significant reduction in glucose, HOMA, lipid profiles and significantly improved glucose and insulin tolerance, glycogen content, glucose uptake by skeletal muscle, serum insulin and HDL-c levels. In addition, ACO also decreased oxidative stress by improving endogenous antioxidants. Further, treatment of ACO showed significantly reduced onset and extent of cataract. Conclusion: The present data suggested that the treatment of ACO reversed the STZ-induced diabetes and cataract in rats. The observed beneficial effects may be mediated by interacting with multiple targets operating in diabetes mellitus and its complication. Taken together, this study provided the scientific evidence for the traditional use of Chromolaena odorata. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.