Therapeutic potential of cyanobacteria against streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.

Hypoglycemic effect of cyanobacteria has evaluated in the normal and streptozotocin-induced diabetic male albino rats as a mammalian model. Normal and streptozotocin-diabetic rats were orally administered cyanobacteria for 60 consecutive days, and their blood levels of glucose, insulin, C-peptide, lipid peroxidation, body weight and enzyme changes were determined using standard methods. Cyanobacteria administration reduced blood glucose level, and increased plasma insulin, C-peptide levels and restored the body weight. Cyanobacteria administration significantly reduced lipid peroxidation in the diabetic rats. Hexokinase enzyme activity was increased, whereas glucose-6-phosphatase enzyme activity decreased in streptozotocin-diabetic rats compared to their respective controls. Cyanobacteria administration caused significant renormalization of serum hepatic enzymes in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. In conclusion, cyanobacteria have a protective effect on anti-oxidant and anti-diabetic in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.