Title: Anti-Obesity and Antidiabetic Activities of Red Ginseng Plant Extract in Obese Diabetic Male Rats
Abstract: The effects of red ginseng extract (RGE) on adiposity index, serum levels of liver enzymes, lipid profile, blood glucose, leptin and insulin hormones and renal antioxidant capacity in obese diabetic rats were investigated. Forty five adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into 5 equal groups. Group (1) was fed on basal diet (negative control), while the other 4 groups were fed on high fat-diet for 6 weeks to induce obesity. The obese rats were then rendered diabetic by intraperitoneal injection of alloxan (120 mg/kg/day) for 5 days. Thereafter, group (2) obese diabetic was kept as positive control and the other 3 groups were orally given RGE at 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg/day, respectively, for 4 weeks. Blood samples were collected for separating the serum which used for biochemical analyses. Kidneys were taken to assay the activity of tissue antioxidant enzymes. The results showed that oral administration of RGE significantly (P < 0.05) reduced adiposity index; decreased serum levels of aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, gamma- glutamyl transpeptidase enzymes, total cholesterol, triglycerides and low density lipoproteins and improved atherogenic index in obese diabetic rats. Blood glucose and leptin hormone decreased, but insulin increased by administration of RGE. It also increased activities of superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase and catalase antioxidant enzymes in kidneys of obese diabetic rats. These results point to the potential possibility of use of red ginseng plant for the treatment of obese diabetic patients.
Publication Year: 2013
Publication Date: 2013-01-01
Language: en
Type: article
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Cited By Count: 9
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