Protective role of coumarin on plasma and tissue glycoprotein components in streptozotocin- nicotinamide induced hyperglycemic rats

Abstract

Aims: The present investigation was carried out to evaluate the protective role of coumarin on glycoprotein metabolism in streptozotocin (STZ)-nicotinamide (NA) induced type 2 diabetic rats. Methods: Coumarin was administered orally (100 mg/kg bodyweight) for 45 days to normal and diabetic rats. The effects of coumarin on plasma and tissue glycoproteins (hexose, hexosamine, fucose and sialic acid) were determined. Results: The levels of plasma glycoproteins containing hexose, hexosamine, sialic acid and fucose were significantly increased in diabetic rats when compared with normal control rats. There was a significant decrease in the level of sialic acid and elevated levels of hexose, hexosamine and fucose in the liver and kidney of STZ-NA induced diabetic rats. On oral administration of coumarin to diabetic rats showed decreased levels of plasma glycoproteins. The level of tissue sialic acid was increased whereas the levels of tissue hexose, hexosamine and fucose were reversed to near normal. Conclusions: The present study indicates that the coumarin possesses a significant protective effect on glycoprotein metabolism in addition to its antidiabetic effect.