Niger. J. Physiol. Sci. 32(June 2017) 91-96 www.njps.com.ng Anti-hyperglycaemic Effects of Rutin on Blood Glucose, Oxidative Stress Biomarkers and Lipid Peroxidation in Alloxan- induced Hyperglycaemic Wistar Rats * 1 Y. Tanko, 2 A. I. Salisu, 3 K. A. Mohammed, 4 S. A. Musa, 1 A. Jimoh, 5 R. Yusuf 1 Department of Human Physiology, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria 2 Department of Human Physiology, Bayero University, Kano, Nigeria 3 Department of Human Physiology, Kaduna State University, Nigeria 4 Department of Human Anatomy, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria 5 Department of Chemical Pathology, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria Summary: The present study investigated the anti-hyperglycaemic effect of rutin on blood glucose, oxidative stress biomarkers and lipid peroxidation in alloxan induced hyperglycaemic wistar rats. Diabetes was induced in rats by an intraperitoneal (i.p) injection of alloxan monohydrate 150 mg/kg body weight. Twenty five wistar rats were divided as follows; Group1 served as diabetic control received distilled water 2 mg/kg, Group served as positive control received 2 mg/kg glibenclamide, 3, 4 and 5 received rutin at 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg body weight for 28 days respectively. At the end of the treatment, rats were sacrificed and the blood and serum were used for the analysis of blood glucose and oxidative stress biomarkers respectively. The determinations of blood glucose levels were carried out at intervals of 7, 14, 21 and 28 days respectively Serum oxidative stress biomarkers lipid peroxidation, were done on the 28 days. Administrations of rutin at the three different doses 50,100 and 200 mg/kg to diabetic rats significantly (p<0.05) decreased the blood glucose levels as compared to diabetic control. The dose of 200 mg/kg exhibited a maximum glucose lowering effect with blood glucose of 102.8± 0.06 as compared to diabetic control 346.2±0.16. Furthermore, in relation to the oxidative stress biomarkers there was a significant (p<0.05) increased in the levels of gluthathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase and catalase as compared to control. However, there was also a significant decreased in the malondialdehyde levels as compared to control. It may be concluded that oral administration of Rutin for 28 days decreases blood glucose levels and prevented oxidative stress and antioxidant status in hyperglycaemic rats. Keywords: Rutin, Blood Glucose, Oxidative Stress Biomarkers, Lipid Peroxidation ©Physiological Society of Nigeria *Address for correspondence: yusuftanko@abu.edu.ng ; yusuftanko@yahoo.com Manuscript Accepted: May, 2017 INTRODUCTION Diabetes mellitus (DM), one of the most challenging health pandemics of the 21st century currently affects about 347 million people worldwide (Eleazu et al., 2013). This number is rapidly increasing and is expected to double by the year 2030, making diabetes the 7th leading cause of death in the world. DM is a complex metabolic disorder, characterized by high blood glucose levels (hyperglycaemia) and impaired lipid, carbohydrate and protein metabolism as a result of defects in insulin secretion, insulin action or both (Noriega-Cisneros et al., 2012, Ramachandran et al., 2012). Hyperglycaemia plays a vital role in the development and progression of diabetic complications by numerous mechanisms, including increased oxidative stress, decreased nitric oxide bioavailability, glucose autoxidation and non- enzymatic protein glycation (Rahimi et al., 2005). It is also well known that oxidative stress develops when reactive oxygen-derived free radical production exceeds the antioxidant defense mechanism of the cell (Rahimi et al., 2005, Huang et al., 2007). DM has been shown to be associated with increased free radical formation and decreased antioxidant capacity, leading to oxidative damage to lipid, carbohydrate, protein and nucleic acids (Rahimi et al., 2005). Antioxidants decrease diabetic complications by attenuation of free radical associated damage (Huang et al., 2007). Rutin is abundantly present in onions, apples, tea and red wine (Hertog et al., 1993). Rutin exhibits multiple pharmacological activities including antibacterial, anti-tumour, anti-inflammatory, anti-diarrhoeal, antiulcer, anti-mutagenic, myocardial protecting, vasodilator, immunomodulator and hepatoprotective activities (Janbaz et al., 2002). Much interest has gathered in the role and usage of natural antioxidants as a means to prevent oxidative damage in diabetes with high oxidative stress. Flavonoids represent the most common and widely distributed group of plant phenolics (Harborne 1986) and are abundant in foods.