ANTIHYPERGLYCEMIC AND ANTIOXIDANT POTENTIAL OF POLYSACCHARIDE FRACTION FROM PORTULACA OLERACEA SEEDS AGAINST STREPTOZOTOCIN-INDUCED DIABETES IN RATS

The present study envisaged the antidiabetic and antioxidant potential role of polysaccharide fraction of Portulaca oleracea (P. oleracea polysaccharide fraction [PPFt]) against streptozotocin (STZ)-induced (50 mg/kg, intraperitoneal) diabetes in experimental animals. After 3 weeks of oral treatment with PPFt (25 and 50 mg/kg), significant dose-dependent reduction in blood glucose, Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances and subsequent increase in total reduced glutathione levels and glutathione peroxidase activity was observed in the diabetic animals. Enzymatic antioxidant defense, catalase and superoxide dismutase were significantly reduced after STZ administration and concomitant administration of PPFt significantly reversed the levels of these enzymes near to normal values. These findings strongly indicate that PPFt could protect against the STZ-induced hyperglycemia and disturbance in lysosomal enzymes in a dose-dependent manner. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS Portulaca oleracea seeds exhibit good nutritional value with potent antidiabetic and antioxidant potential, which supports it to be used as excellent food supplement for diabetics. The present investigation was therefore undertaken to evaluate the possible role of polysaccharides fraction of P. oleracea against streptozotocin-induced oxidative stress in experimental diabetic rats. Our result indicates that polysaccharide fraction of P. oleracea possesses moderate antidiabetic activity and exhibited potent antioxidant potential in diabetic conditions. These findings strongly indicate that polysaccharides could protect against oxidative stress in diabetic rats.