RETRACTED ARTICLE: Betanin exhibits significant potential as an antihyperglycemic and attenuating the glycoprotein components in streptozotocin–nicotinamide-induced experimental rats
Authors: Subramani Srinivasan
Dhananjayan Indumathi
Veerasamy Vinothkumar
Kathiroli Sujithra
Journal: Toxicology Mechanisms and Methods (2018)
Discipline: PHARMACOLOGY & TOXICOLOGY
Keywords: Betanin; diabetes mellitus; glucose; glycoprotein components; streptozotocin–nicotinamide.
Affiliations: a Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Faculty of Science , Annamalai University , Annamalainagar , India., b Postgraduate and Research Department of Biochemistry , Government Arts College For Women , Krishnagiri , India.

Abstract:  This study hypothesized to evaluate the effect of betanin, a chromoalkaloid on plasma and altered tissues glycoprotein components in streptozotocin-nicotinamide-induced diabetic rats. Diabetes was induced by a single intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of streptozotocin (45 mg/kg b.w.) dissolved in 0.1 M citrate buffer (pH 4.5) 15 min after the i.p. administration of nicotinamide (110 mg/kg b.w.). Experimental rats were administered betanin at the dose of 20 mg/kg b.w. and glibenclamide (600 µg/kg b.w.) once a day for 30 days. Diabetic rats revealed significant (p &lt; 0.05) increase in the levels of glucose, HbA1C, hexose, hexosamine, sialic acid and fucose in the plasma; decrease in the levels of plasma insulin, Hb and sialic acid in the liver and kidney; significant (p &lt; 0.05) increase in hexose, hexosamine and fucose in the liver and kidney. Moreover, periodic acid-Schiff staining of tissues revealed positive-stain accumulation in diabetic rats. On co-supplementation of betanin and glibenclamide to diabetic rats for the period of 30 days brought back the levels of plasma and tissues glycoprotein components. Based on the present study, we propose that betanin possesses significant protective effect on glycoprotein components in plasma and tissue of diabetic rats. 

Retracted: Yes

PubPeer comments:
 * Concern about Figure 6. Panels G (betanin alone) and I (diabetes+betanin) appear to show a large area of overlap. Shown with aqua boxes. ![file] , 
 * Concern about narrow range of standard deviations in Figures 3-5. This paper is one of several from the Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology of Annamalai University that report measurements with an unexpectedly narrow range of standard deviations (SDs). Together, these cast serious doubts over the existence of real, replicate measurements in studies by this group. Could the authors please provide the raw data? ![file] , 
 February 2021 retraction found here: https: www.tandfonline.com doi full 10.1080 15376516.2021.1883271  This article is being retracted due to image manipulation in Figure 6, Panels G and I, which contain a large section of overlap. These findings are not explained by the content of the article and the authors were not able to provide original data that would support the integrity of their research. We have been informed in our decision-making by our policy on publishing ethics and integrity and the COPE guidelines on retractions. The retracted article will remain online to maintain the scholarly record, but it will be digitally watermarked on each page as u201cRetractedu201d. ,