Leaf Ethanolic Extract of Bauhinia monandra Increases Insulin Secretion in Rats Subjected to Intrauterine Malnutrition
A. C. C. Argolo
Departamento de Bioquímica, Centro de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, UFPE, Recife, PE, Brasil.
V. C. R. Dantas
Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde, RN, Brasil.
A. C. R. D. Saturnino
Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde, RN, Brasil.
A. F. S. Santos
CEB-Centre of Biological Engineering, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal.
J. Brandão-Neto
Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde, RN, Brasil.
A. D. O. Paixão
Departamento de Fisiologia e Farmacologia, Centro de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, UFPE, Recife, PE, Brasil.
L. C. B. B Coelho *
Departamento de Bioquímica, Centro de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, UFPE, Recife, PE, Brasil.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Aims: This work aimed to investigate the effects of Bauhinia monandra ethanolic extract (E) on blood glucose levels (G), insulin and lipids of control (C) and prenatal malnourished (M) rats. Samples: Animals (from 90 days) were on standard or isocaloric high glucose diet (67%, w/w) during 30 days.
Study Design: Animals received 0.1% DMSO (2.5 ml/kg, po.) or E (500 mg/kg, po.). Glucose tolerance was evaluated in blood following glucose overload (1.5 g/kg, po.).
Place and Duration of Study: Departamento de Bioquímica and Departamento de Fisiologia e Farmacologia, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, between January 2006 and February 2007.
Methodology: In acute tests, glucose tolerance and serum insulin were evaluated in C and M receiving DMSO or E. Lipids and hepatic enzymes were analyzed before DMSO or E application. Glucose was orally administered by gavage, for glucose tolerance; thirty minutes later, E or DMSO was given. Blood samples were collected for glucose and insulin measurements. In the chronic assay, glucose tolerance, lipids and hepatic enzymes were studied in groups C or M receiving DMSO or E. The group M receiving E had a diet rich in glucose (30 days). Glucose tolerance, lipids, and hepatic enzymes were evaluated before and after diet rich in glucose treatment with E. Serum insulin was measured by chemiluminescence; also, aspartate and alanine aminotransferases were analyzed after high dietary glucose. Serum total cholesterol and triglycerides were estimated with an auto analyzer.
Results: In control rats, acute E administration reduced G, but did not change insulin secretion; in M rats, it induced insulin peak. In chronic study, animals on high glucose diet with E showed lower G; prenatal malnourished rats revealed higher insulin levels. Cholesterol, triglycerides and alanine aminotransferase did not change by intrauterine malnutrition or E.
Conclusion: Results indicated that E may act on beta-cells and stimulate insulin secretion.
Keywords: Bauhinia monandra, leaf ethanolic extract, hypoglycemic activity, blood glucose, serum insulin