Abstract

Objective: The purport of this study was carried out to define the antidiabetic and in vivo antioxidant activity of Catharanthus roseus var. alba extract loaded chitosan nanoparticles (ELCN) and methanolic leaf extract (MLE) in alloxan-induced diabetic rats. Methods: The Alloaxan (ALX) model for the experimental induction of diabetes in rat. Animals were allocated into seven groups of six rats each: I Normal control group (NC) rats received distilled dihydrogen monoxide 10ml/kg, II diabetic group (DC) rats received 3% v/v Tween 80 in distilled water 10ml/kg, III diabetic rats fed with glibenclamide (GLB), IV and V fed with ELCN (50 and 100 mg/kg) and VI and VII fed with MLE (200 and 400 mg/kg). One-way ANOVA followed by post hoc test was acclimated to assess the consequential difference due to administration of ELCN and MLE. For in vivo antioxidant activity of ELCN and MLE, liver tissues were homogenized and were quantified reduced glutathione (GSH), catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were performed in NC, DC, GLB and ELCN as well as in MLE treated rats. Results: In alloxan-induced diabetic rats, both the ELCN and MLE decremented blood sugar levels and body weight at the cessation of 1st, 2nd and 3rd week after test extract treatment. Antioxidant enzymes activities such as CAT, SOD and GSH levels significantly decremented in the plasma and liver of diabetic rats compared to controls. The nanonization of extract lesser the dose, increment the bioavailability and specificity of required action. Conclusions: Findings of this study sanction us to establish scientifically ELCN and MLE as a potent antidiabetic agent with antioxidant effects.