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Abstract
Context: Myrtenal is monoterpene a constituent of essential oils found mainly in herbs such as mint, pepper, cumin, etc. It exerts admirable pharmacological activities against many diseases including diabetes. Hyperlipidaemia is a secondary complication of diabetes and also a major risk factor for cardiovascular diseases.
Objective: The present study investigated the possible antihyperlipidaemic efficacy of myrtenal on plasma glucose, pancreatic insulin, plasma and tissue lipid levels in streptozotocin (STZ) induced diabetic rats.
Materials and methods: Diabetes was induced in male Wistar rats by a single intraperitoneal injection of STZ (40 mg/kg b.w.). Myrtenal (80 mg/kg) was administered orally to diabetic rats for a period of 28 d. Plasma glucose, pancreatic insulin, TC, TGs, FFAs, PLs, LDL-C, HDL-C, VLDL, atherogenic index, (HMG-CoA) reductase, LPL, LCAT and liver histology were analyzed.
Results: Diabetic rats showed significantly (p < 0.05) increased plasma glucose (273.18 mg/dL), total cholesterol (142 mg/dL), triglycerides (126 mg/dL), free fatty acids (118 mg/dL), phospholipids (153 mg/dL), low-density lipoprotein (88.07 mg/dL), very low-density lipoprotein (25.2 mg/dL), atherogenic index, whereas a decrease in the levels of pancreatic insulin (97.48 ng/mg) and high-density lipoprotein (29.12 mg/dL). In addition, the activity of 3-hydroxy 3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase (0.94 HMG-CoA ratio/(mevalonate) increased significantly in contrast to the activities of lipoprotein lipase (4.87 μmoles of glycerol liberated/h/L) and lecithin cholesterol acyltransferase (54.61 μmoles of cholesterol esterified/h/L) in diabetic rats. Treatment with myrtenal significantly (p < 0.05) improved the levels of plasma glucose, pancreatic insulin and lipid profiles. Moreover, the histopathological analysis of liver was also in agreement with the biochemical findings.
Discussion and conclusions: The present study indicates that myrtenal possess antihyperglycaemic and antihyperlipidemic properties, and could potentially be a useful phytochemical in treating diabetes.
Disclosure statement
The author report that they have no conflicts of interest.
Funding information
The authors thank the University Grants Commission (UGC), New Delhi, India, for the financial support in the form of research fellow under Research Fellowship in Science for Meritorious Students (RFSMS) Scheme (F.25-1/2013-14(BSR)/7/10/2007) to Mr. Ayyasamy Rathinam.