Diminution of Oxidative Stress in Alloxan-Induced Diabetic Rats by Stevia rebaudiana

OBJECTIVE: Stevia rebaudiana is one such herb commonly used as natural sweetener and have possible antidiabetic effects. One of the most common symptoms of diabetes is hyperglycemia which is associated with increased generation of free radicals and oxidative damage to tissue compounds. The aim of the present investigation was to evaluate the antihyperglycemic and antioxidative effect of ethanolic leaf extracts of Stevia rebaudiana in normal and alloxan induced diabetic experimental rats for 21 days.

METHODS: In the present investigation the experimental Wistar albino rats were divided into 7 groups containing 6 rats in each group (n=6) viz. non-diabetic (normal control), diabetic control (alloxan-induced), diabetic conventional treated (treated with insulin), normal treated (infused with different doses of Stevia rebaudiana, ethanolic extract) and diabetic treated (infused with different doses of Stevia rebaudiana, ethanolic extract). Diabetes was induced by a single intraperitoneal (i.p) injection of alloxan monohydrate (150 mg/kg body weight). Exposure of alloxan monohydrates elevates the blood glucose, increases the plasma malondialdehyde and sialic acid content which overall disturbed the intracellular antioxidant functions.

RESULTS: The oral administration of ethanolic leaf extracts of Stevia rebaudiana at a dose of 300 and 400 mg/kg body weight showed significant (p˂0.05) reduction in blood glucose and restores the antioxidant power and other biochemical parameters close to normal.

CONCLUSION: Stevia rebaudiana supplementation could minimize hyperglycemia and ameliorate the condition of oxidative stress in diabetes. Thus, it provides a beneficial role in preventing the complications of diabetes by scavenging free radicals in alloxan-induced diabetic rats.