Evaluation of Alternanthera sessilis Linn against Diabetes Induced Retinopathy in Rats

Diabetes Retinopathy (DR) is a major microvascular complication occurs due to the Chronic Diabetes. The objective of present study is to evaluate the Alternanthera sessilis Linn against Diabetes Induced Retinopathy in Rats. Diabetes was induced in rats by injecting 120 mg/kg of Alloxan monohydrate intra-peritoneally to overnight-fasted rats (12 h). After 72 h of injection, fasting blood glucose level was measured. Diabetic animals were separated into six groups (n = 6). Group 1 (normal control), received vehicle orally. Group 2 (Diabetic control group), received 1 ml of normal saline. Group 3 (reference group): Diabetics rats, received Glibenclamide (10 mg/kg b w, p. o). Group 4 and 5 (Test group-1 and Test group-2 respectively), received the ethanolic extract of Alternanthera Sessilis 500 and 1000 mg/kg bw respectively and the treatment was continued for 42 days. At the end of the study blood was collected from retro orbital plexus for estimation of biochemical parameters and antioxidant parameters. Diabetic rats exhibited the significant increase in blood glucose, total cholesterol, triglycerides, lipid peroxidation, aldose reductase and significant decrease in superoxide dismutase, catalase, reduced glutathione in comparison to normal rats. Diabetic rats treated with ethanolic extract of Alternanthera Sessilis at doses of 500 and 1000 mg/kg b w showed significant decrease in blood glucose, total cholesterol, triglycerides, lipid peroxidation, aldose reductase and significant increase in superoxide dismutase, catalase, reduced glutathione in comparison to diabetic rats in dose dependent manner.