Abstract

Oral administration of 3-hydroxymethyl xylitol at 40 mg/kg body weight to diabetic rats for 45 days resulted in a significant reduction in blood glucose and significant increase in plasma insulin levels. In addition, the diabetic rats had decreased levels of plasma total protein, albumin, globulin and albumin/globulin ratio as compared to control rats. After treatment with 3-hydroxymethyl xylitol and glibenclamide total protein, albumin, globulin and albumin/globulin ratio were brought back to near normal. The activities of hepatic and renal markers were significantly elevated in diabetic rats as compared to control rats. Treatment with 3-hydroxymethyl xylitol and glibenclamide reversed these parameters to near normal levels. In diabetic rats, the decreased levels of urea, uric acid and creatinine with increased levels of albumin and urine volume was observed, and treatment with 3-hydroxymethyl xylitol and glibenclamide reversed these parameters to near normal. These results indicate that 3-hydroxymethyl xylitol, a compound isolated from Casearia esculenta, has beneficial effect on hepatic and renal functional markers.

Key words: Casearia esculenta, 3-hydroxymethyl xylitol, glibenclamide, diabetes, liver, kidney, functional markers.