Apigenin (4',5,7-trihydroxyflavone) regulates hyperglycaemia, thyroid dysfunction and lipid peroxidation in alloxan-induced diabetic mice.

The potential of apigenin (4',5,7-trihydroxyflavone) in regulating hyperglycaemia, thyroid dysfunction and lipid peroxidation (LPO) has been revealed. While in alloxan-treated diabetic animals, a significant decrease in the concentrations of serum insulin, thyroxine (T(4)) and triiodothyronine (T(3)), with a parallel increase in serum glucose and hepatic glucose-6-phospatase (G-6-Pase) activity, was observed, administration of 0.78 mg kg(-1) of apigenin for 10 consecutive days increased the levels of serum insulin and thyroid hormones with a parallel decrease in glucose concentration and hepatic G-6-Pase activity. Alloxan-induced elevation in serum cholesterol was also reduced by the compound. With respect to LPO, while in alloxan-treated animals an increase in hepatic LPO and a decrease in the activity of cellular antioxidants, such as catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD), and in glutathione (GSH) content was observed, administration of apigenin to alloxan-treated mice reversed all these changes, suggesting its hepatoprotective potential. Similar effects of apigenin were also observed in most of the parameters in normoglycaemic animals. It appears that apigenin has a potential to regulate diabetes mellitus, as well as disease-induced thyroid dysfunction and lipid peroxidation.