Extracts and fractions of Gymnema sylvestre restore liver and kidney function by regulating tissue and serum transaminases in the type 2 diabetic rat

Diabetes mellitus usually induce kidney and liver complications, characterized by an increase in transaminases activity. The aim of this study was to evaluate the activity of Gymnema sylvestre on the variation of tissue and serum transaminases activities in high sucrose diet and dexamethasone-induced diabetic rats. The animals were fed with high sucrose diet and 20% sugar water for 12 weeks then, received an intraperitoneal injection of dexamethasone (8mg/kg) once a day for 5 days between 07 and 08 am. After induction, the insulin sensitivity test was performed and the animals were divided into 7 groups. The experimental groups received extracts (aqueous and methanolic) and fractions (methylene chloride and methanol) of G. sylvestre once a day for 14 days. At the end of experiment, the animals were sacrificed and the blood, liver and kidney were collected for evaluation of transaminases and histopathology reduced by the plant. The activity of liver and kidney transaminases of the diabetic negative control (DNC) group on days 1 and 14 had significantly elevated (P<0.001) compared with this of the normoglycemic negative control (NNC) group and the different treated groups. This trend was also observed at the serum level but only with ASAT. Histological analysis revealed hepatic leukocyte infiltrations and mesangial expansions in the urinary space in the DNC group on days 1 and 14. These tissue abnormalities were corrected in groups receiving extracts and fractions of G. sylvestre. This study suggests that the extracts and fractions of G. sylvestre restore tissue damage in diabetic rats.