Syzigium cumini seed extracts reduce tissue damage in diabetic rat brain

Syzigium cumini commonly known as Jamun, is widely used in different parts of India for the treatment of diabetes mellitus. Oral administration of an aqueous Jamun seed extract (JSEt) for 6 weeks caused a significant decrease in lipids, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and an increase in catalase and superoxide dismutase in the brain of alloxan induced diabetic rats. Oral administration of an alcoholic JSEt for 6 weeks brought back all the parameters to near normal. The effect of alcoholic JSEt (100 mg/kg) was better than aqueous JSEt (5 g/kg). The effect of both these extracts was better than glibenclamide (600 mug/kg). Thus, our study shows that S. cumini seed extracts reduce tissue damage in diabetic rat brain. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.