Abstract
Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disorder characterised by hyperglycemia and oxidative stress. The aim of the present study is to explore the antioxidant effect of Spirulina maxima in rat model along with the histopathological observations. Diabetes was induced by feeding 10% fructose solution orally to Wistar rats (n = 6) for 30 days, analysed for plasma blood glucose and the markers of the oxidative stress [catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), reduced glutathione (GSH) and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS)]. These biochemical studies were associated with histopathological examination of liver and kidney sections. The microalga Spirulina maxima being rich in proteins and other essential nutrients is widely used as a food supplement. S. maxima at a dose of 5 and 10% per kg and the metformin (500 mg/kg) as reference drug were given orally for 30 days to the diabetic rats. Diabetic rats showed significant (p < 0.001) elevations in plasma blood glucose, thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances and significant reduction in catalase, superoxide dismutase and reduced glutathione activity. Oral administration of 5 and 10% aqueous extract of S. maxima for 30 days restored not only of blood glucose levels but also markers of oxidative stress. Histopathological observations of tissues manifested that the S. maxima administration had the protective and therapeutic effects against fructose-induced abnormalities in diabetic rats. It is concluded that S. maxima is effective in reinstating the antioxidant activity in addition to its antidiabetic effect in type 2 diabetic rats.