Hypoglycemic and hypocholesterolemic activities of the aqueous preparation of Kalanchoe Pinnata leaves in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

Objective: To evaluate the hypoglycemic and hypocholesterolemic activities of the aqueous preparation of Kalanchoe pinnata (K. pinnata) leaves in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Methods: Diabetes mellitus was induced in rats by a single administration of streptozotocin (60 mg/Kg). Diabetic rats were then treated with aqueous K. pinnata for 30 d. Serum glucose, proteins, lipid composition, liver and kidney function indices, inflammatory markers, and key enzymes of hepatic carbohydrate and lipid metabolism were determined. Results: The untreated and treated diabetic groups lost weight and consumed less food compared to the normal group. We noted 37.9% decrease in fasting blood glucose in the treated diabetic group compared to 13.2% and 17.0% increases in normal and untreated diabetic groups respectively. Serum cholesterol and triglyceride levels were significantly (P<0.05) reduced in the treated diabetic group compared to the untreated diabetic group. Blood urea nitrogen was significantly (P<0.05) elevated in the untreated and treated diabetic groups compared to the normal group. Serum alkaline phosphatase and hepatic pyruvate kinase activities were significantly (P<0.05) elevated in the treated diabetic group. Serum albumin level was significantly (P<0.05) reduced in the untreated diabetic group. Serum IL-6 was significantly (P<0.05) depressed in the treated diabetic group. Conclusions: The observed decrease in body weight, blood glucose and cholesterol level suggests that the aqueous K. pinnata preparation consumption may be beneficial in the management of diabetes mellitus. The observed adverse effect on alkaline phosphatase activity may be due to the combined effect of streptozotocin-induced diabetes and K. pinnata preparation administration.