In silico and in vivo approach to identify the antidiabetic activity of lupeol.

Shreenithi, S.; Vishnupriya, V.; Ponnulakshmi, R.; Gayathri, R.; Madhan, K.; Shyamaladevi, B.; Selvaraj, J.

Background: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a metabolic disorder characterized by hyperglycemia. Many recent reports showed that there are 425 million people in the world suffering from diabetes and also, it has the chance to increase 629 million or more in 2045. Synthetic drugs used in the management of diabetes had many deleterious side effects. In this context, herbal drugs are attaining the attractiveness for the treatment of DM by reason of their efficacy, low occurrence of side effects, low cost, and easy availability. Lupeol (triterpenes) is one of the natural herbal drugs abundant in edible vegetables, fruits, and also in medicinal plants. It effectively reduced the hyperinsulinemia, blood glucose level in high cholesterol/high-fat diet, and sucrose-induced mice. However, the molecular mechanism by which it exhibits antidiabetic property is not known. Materials and Methods: Adult male albino rats of Wistar strain 150–180 days old with 180–120 g of body weight were randomly divided into four groups of six rats each. Group 1: Normal rats, Group 2: Type 2 diabetic rats, Group 3: Type 2 diabetic rats treated with lupeol 25 mg/kg for orally for 30 days, and Group 4: Type 2 diabetic rats treated with metformin 50 mg/kg orally for 30 days. Results: The effect of lupeol on insulin resistance protein expression in gracilis muscle of Type 2 diabetic rats showed a significant increase in P value (P < 0.05). The effects of glucose transporter 4 (GLUT 4) protein in gracilis muscle of Type 2 diabetic rats showed P < 0.05. Conclusion: Lupeol has antidiabetic activity through the regulation of insulin receptor and GLUT 4 protein expression in gracilis muscle, and hence, lupeol may be one of the potential therapeutic options for the management of Type 2 diabetics.

INSULIN regulation; INSULIN receptors; GLUCOSE transporters; STREPTOZOTOCIN; BLOOD sugar; HYPERGLYCEMIA; METABOLIC disorders

Drug Invention Today, 2019, Vol 11, Issue 5, p1113

0975-7619

Academic Journal