Evaluation of the Effect of the Water Extract of Dried Flowers of Aegle marmelos on Na+/K+ ATPase Activity in Liver, Erythrocytes and Small Intestine of Diabetic Rats

Abstract

The water extract of Aegle marmelos (Beli mal Drink) is a popular beverage used by Sri Lankans with many medicinal benefits and the hypoglycaemic and anti-inflammatory effects of this beverage have been scientifically validated. Under many pathological conditions alterations in Na+/K+ ATPase activity in tissues are observed and these may lead to many metabolic changes during diseases. The present study evaluated the effect of the water extract of dried flowers of Aegle marmelos on Na+/K+ ATPase activity in liver, erythrocytes and small intestine of diabetic Wistar rats. Experimental diabetes mellitus was induced in rats by the intra-venous administration of Alloxan monohydrate (40 mg/kg) and rats with a serum glucose concentration of > 7.00 mmol/L were selected for the experiments. Normal and diabetic control groups received distilled water whereas the Diabetic test group received a 500 mg/kg dose of test extract. After ½ h, each rat was euthanized to collect blood samples as well as the livers and small intestines. The Na+/K+ ATPase activity in membrane preparations of liver, erythrocytes and small intestines, was determined in terms of liberation of inorganic phosphate during enzymatic ATP hydrolysis. The Na+/K+ ATPase activity in the liver plasma membrane was reduced significantly (P < 0.001) by 49.4 % in diabetic rats compared to normal rats. It was increased significantly (P < 0.001) by 44.3 % in diabetic rats after administration of the test extract compared to Diabetic control rats. The Na+/K+ ATPase activity in the small intestine was increased significantly (P < 0.01) by 41.5 % in diabetic rats compared to normal rats. It was further increased significantly (P < 0.01) by 24.4 % in diabetic rats after administration of the test extract compared to Diabetic control rats. The Na+/K+ ATPase activity in the erythrocytes was reduced significantly (P < 0.001) by 29.3 % in diabetic rats compared to normal rats. It was increased significantly (P < 0.001) by 35.2 % in diabetic rats after administration of the test extract compared to Diabetic control rats. The treatment with the test extract caused a significant increase in Na+/K+ ATPase activity in all three tissues compared to Diabetic control rats and this showed the test extract has an acute effect on the Na+/K+ ATPase activity in tissues of diabetic rats. The water extract of dried flowers of Aegle marmelos is a herbal beverage which can be used to revise the short term complications of diabetes associated with impaired Na+/K+ ATPase activity in tissues.