Effect of Metformin, Acarbose and Their Combination on the Serum Visfatin Level in Nicotinamide/Streptozocin-Induced Type 2 Diabetic Rats

Metformin beyond an anti-diabetic agent: A comprehensive and mechanistic review on its effects against natural and chemical toxins

In addition to the anti-diabetic effect of metformin, a growing number of studies have shown that metformin has some exciting properties, such as anti-oxidative capabilities, anticancer, genomic stability, anti-inflammation, and anti-fibrosis, which have potent, that can treat other disorders other than diabetes mellitus. We aimed to describe and review the protective and antidotal efficacy of metformin against biologicals, chemicals, natural, medications, pesticides, and radiation-induced toxicities. A comprehensive search has been performed from Scopus, Web of Science, PubMed, and Google Scholar databases from inception to March 8, 2023. All in vitro, in vivo, and clinical studies were considered. Many studies suggest that metformin affects diseases other than diabetes. It is a radioprotective and chemoprotective drug that also affects viral and bacterial diseases. It can be used against inflammation-related and apoptosis-related abnormalities and against toxins to lower their effects. Besides lowering blood sugar, metformin can attenuate the effects of toxins on body weight, inflammation, apoptosis, necrosis, caspase-3 activation, cell viability and survival rate, reactive oxygen species (ROS), NF-κB, TNF-α, many interleukins, lipid profile, and many enzymes activity such as catalase and superoxide dismutase. It also can reduce the histopathological damages induced by many toxins on the kidneys, liver, and colon. However, clinical trials and human studies are needed before using metformin as a therapeutic agent against other diseases.

Clinical Efficacy of Bolus of Six Drugs Including Rehmannia as an Adjunct to Metformin in the Treatment of Senile Type-2 Diabetes Mellitus and its Influence on Insulin Resistance, Inflammatory Factors and Blood Glucose-related Indicators

Objective

To investigate the clinical efficacy of Bolus of Six Drugs Including Rehmannia (Liuwei Dihuang pill) as an adjunct to metformin in the treatment of senile Type-2 diabetes mellitus and its influence on insulin resistance, inflammatory factors and blood glucose-related indexes.

Methods

This is a Retrospective study. Eighty senile Type-2 diabetes mellitus admitted to Baoding Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine from January 2019 to December 2021 were enrolled and divided into two groups using the random number method. Patients in the control group were given oral metformin, while those in the observation group were treated with Bolus of six Drugs Including Rehmannia as an adjunct to metformin. The clinical efficacy, blood glucose-related indicators, insulin-related indicators, inflammatory factors-related indicators and adverse drug reactions were compared between the two groups.

Results

The overall response in the observation group was higher than that in the control group(P<0.05). After treatment, the levels of FPG, 2hPG and HbA1 being more significantly lower in the observation group than that in the control group(P<0.05). Moreover, the levels of FINS, HOMA-IR and HOMA-IS were all significantly improved in the observation group than that the control group (P<0.05). HOMA-β levels in the observation group were significantly higher than those in the control group (P<0.05). The levels of TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-8 in the observation group were significantly lower than those in the control group (P<0.05).

Conclusion

Bolus of six Drugs Including Rehmannia as an adjunct to metformin is a regimen with satisfactory safety profile for the treatment of senile Type-2 diabetes mellitus.

The role of mosapride and levosulpiride in gut function and glycemic control in diabetic rats

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS

Gastroparesis is a well-known consequence of long-standing diabetes that presents with gastric dysmotility in the absence of gastric outlet obstruction. This study aimed to evaluate the therapeutic effects of mosapride and levosulpiride on improving gastric emptying in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) while regulating glycemic levels.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Rats were divided into the normal control, untreated diabetic, metformin-treated (100 mg/kg/day), mosapride-treated (3 mg/kg/day), levosulpiride-treated (5 mg/kg/day), metformin (100 mg/kg/day) + mosapride (3 mg/kg/day)-treated, and metformin (100 mg/kg/day) + levosulpiride (5 mg/kg/day)-treated diabetic groups. T2DM was induced by a streptozotocin-nicotinamide model. Fourweeks from diabetes onset, the treatment was started orally daily for 2 weeks. Serum glucose, insulin, and glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) levels were measured. Gastric motility study was performed using isolated rat fundus and pylorus strip preparations. Moreover, the intestinal transit rate was measured.

RESULTS

Mosapride and levosulpiride administration showed a significant decrease in serum glucose levels with improvement of gastric motility and intestinal transit rate. Mosapride showed a significant increase in serum insulin and GLP-1 levels. Metformin with mosapride and levosulpiride co-administration showed better glycemic control and gastric emptying than either drug administered alone.

CONCLUSION

Mosapride and levosulpiride showed comparable prokinetic effects. Metformin administration with mosapride and levosulpiride showed better glycemic control and prokinetic effects. Mosapride provided better glycemic control than levosulpiride. Metformin + mosapride combination provided superior glycemic control and prokinetic effects.

Exploring the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes mellitus intestinal damp-heat syndrome and the therapeutic effect of Gegen Qinlian Decoction from the perspective of exosomal miRNA

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Diabetes is a common, complex, chronic metabolic disease. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-parallel controlled clinical study has shown that Gegen Qinlian Decoction (GQD) can reduce glycosylated hemoglobin in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) intestinal damp-heat syndrome patients in a dose-dependent manner.

AIM

To explore the pathogenesis of T2DM intestinal damp-heat syndrome and the therapeutic effect of GQD from the perspective of exosomal microRNA (miRNA).

METHODS

Eligible patients were selected and treated with GQD for 3 months to evaluate their clinical efficacy. Effective cases were matched with healthy volunteers, and saliva samples were collected. Exosomal miRNA was extracted from saliva and analyzed by chip sequencing. Subsequently, the function of the differential gene and the signal transduction pathway were analyzed using bioinformatics technology. Finally, three target miRNAs were randomly selected from the T2DM group/healthy group, and two target miRNAs in the T2DM before treatment/after treatment group were randomly selected for qPCR verification. Finally, we conducted a correlation analysis of the miRNAs and clinical indicators. The registration number for this research is ChiCTR-IOR-15006626.

RESULTS

(1) The expression of exosomal miRNA chips showed that there were 14 differentially expressed miRNAs in the T2DM group/healthy group, and 26 differentially expressed miRNAs in the T2DM before treatment/after treatment group. (2) Enrichment results showed that in the T2DM group/healthy group, it was primarily related to cell development, body metabolism, TGF-β, and ErbB signaling pathways. In the T2DM before treatment/after treatment group, it was mainly related to cellular metabolic regulation processes, and insulin, Wnt, and AMPK signaling pathways. (3) The qPCR verification showed that the expressions of hsa-miR-9-5p, hsa-miR-150-5p, and hsa-miR-216b-5p in the T2DM group was higher (P<0.05). Following GQD treatment, hsa-miR-342-3p and hsa-miR-221-3p were significantly downregulated (P<0.05). (4) hsa-miR-9-5p was positively correlated with BMI (P<0.05), and hsa-miR-150-5p was positively correlated with total cholesterol and triglycerides (P<0.05). The GQD efficacy-related gene hsa-miR-342-3p was positively correlated with the patient's initial blood glucose level (P<0.05), and hsa-miR-221-3p was positively correlated with total cholesterol and triglycerides (P<0.05).

CONCLUSION

The exosomal miRNA expression profile and signaling pathways related to T2DM intestinal damp-heat syndrome and the efficacy of GQD were established, which provides an alternative strategy for precision traditional Chinese medicine treatment.

Integrated lipids biomarker of the prediabetes and type 2 diabetes mellitus Chinese patients

INTRODUCTION

Dyslipidemia is a hallmark of T2DM, and as such, analyses of lipid metabolic profiles in affected patients have the potential to permit the development of an integrated lipid metabolite-based biomarker model that can facilitate early patient diagnosis and treatment.

METHODS

Untargeted and targeted lipidomics approaches were used to analyze serum samples from newly diagnosed 93 Chinese participants in discovery cohort and 440 in validation cohort via UHPLC-MS and UHPLC-MS/MS first. The acid sphingomyelinase protein expression was analyzed by Western blot.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Through these analyses, we developed a novel integrated biomarker signature composed of LPC 22:6, PC(16:0/20:4), PE(22:6/16:0), Cer(d18:1/24:0)/SM(d18:1/19:0), Cer(d18:1/24:0)/SM(d18:0/16:0), TG(18:1/18:2/18:2), TG(16:0/16:0/20:3), and TG(18:0/16:0/18:2). The area under the curve (AUC) values for this integrated biomarker signature for prediabetes and T2DM patients were 0.841 (cutoff: 0.565) and 0.894 (cutoff: 0.633), respectively. Furthermore, theresults of western blot analysis of frozen adipose tissue from 3 week (prediabetes) and 12 week (T2DM) Goto-Kakizaki (GK) rats also confirmed that acid sphingomyelinase is responsible for significant disruptions in ceramide and sphingomyelin homeostasis. Network analyses of the biomarkers associated with this biosignature suggested that the most profoundly affected lipid metabolism pathways in the context of diabetes include de novo ceramide synthesis, sphingomyelin metabolism, and additional pathways associated with phosphatidylcholine synthesis. Together, these results offer new biological insights regarding the role of serum lipids in the context of insidious T2DM development, and may offer new avenues for future diagnostic and/or therapeutic research.

Synergistic Anti-inflammatory and Neuroprotective Effects of Cinnamomum cassia and Zingiber officinale Alleviate Diabetes-Induced Hippocampal Changes in Male Albino Rats: Structural and Molecular Evidence

Background: Depression has been reported as a common comorbidity in diabetes mellitus although the underlying mechanism responsible for this is not well known. Although both ginger and cinnamon has anti-diabetic, antioxidant, and neuroprotective properties, their efficacy in inhibiting neuroinflammation, when simultaneously administrated, has not been investigated yet. Objectives: The study was designed to assess the synergistic effect of Cinnamomum cassia and Zingiber officinale on regulating blood glucose, improve hippocampal structural changes and depressive-like alternations in diabetic rats, and try to identify the mechanism behind this effect. Materials and Methods: Thirty male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into five equal groups (n = 6): the normal control, untreated streptozotocin (STZ)-diabetic, cinnamon-treated diabetic [100 mg/kg of body weight (BW)/day for 6 weeks], ginger-treated diabetic (0.5 g/kg BW/day for 6 weeks), and ginger plus cinnamon-treated diabetic groups. Forced swim test and elevated plus maze behavioral tests were performed at the end of the experiment. HOMA-IR, HOMA β-cells, blood glucose, insulin, corticosterone, pro-inflammatory cytokines tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and IL-6), and total anti-oxidant capacity (TAC) were assessed in the serum. BDNF mRNA level was assessed in hippocampus using qRT-PCR. Hippocampal histopathological changes were also assessed, and immunoexpression of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), caspase-3, and Ki-67 was measured. Results: Diabetes-induced depressive-like changes in the STZ group were biochemically confirmed by assessing serum corticosterone level, as well as behaviorally using FST and EPM tests. Diabetes also induced degenerative changes in the hippocampus. Treatment of diabetic rats with ginger, cinnamon, or the combination of these alleviated the degenerative structural changes and significantly up-regulated serum insulin, TAC, hippocampal BDNF mRNA, and hippocampal immunoexpression of ki67, while they significantly reduced serum blood glucose, IL-6, TNF-α, IL1β, as well as hippocampal immunoexpression of GFAP and Caspase-3 compared to the untreated diabetic group. Improvement induced by the combination of ginger and cinnamon was superior to the single administration of either of these. Conclusion: Cinnamomum cassia and Zingiber officinale have synergistic anti-diabetic, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antidepressant-like, and neuroprotective effects. The use of a combination of these plants could be beneficial as alternative or complementary supplements in managing DM and decreasing its neuronal and psychiatric complications.

p53 Rather Than β-Catenin Mediated the Combined Hypoglycemic Effect of Cinnamomum cassia (L.) and Zingiber officinale Roscoe in the Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Model

Background: The antioxidant, hypoglycemic, and insulin-enhancing effects of ginger and cinnamon were previously confirmed in experimental and human studies, while the combined effect of ginger and cinnamon was not thoroughly investigated until now.

Objectives: This study was designed to assess the antidiabetic effect of combined administration of ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe) and cinnamon (Cinnamomum cassia L.) in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats compared to metformin and to explain the mechanism behind this effect.

Materials and methods: STZ was utilized to induce diabetes mellitus in male Sprague–Dawley rats. Assessments of fasting blood glucose level (BGL), the total antioxidant capacity (TAC), serum insulin, HOMA-IR, and HOMA–β cells were performed. Pancreatic gene expression of β-catenin and p53 was assessed using RT-PCR. Assessment of histopathological alterations of pancreatic islet cells was performed using routine and immunohistochemical techniques.

Results: BGL significantly decreased (p = 0.01), while serum insulin and TAC significantly increased (p < 0.001) in both metformin- and ginger plus cinnamon–treated groups compared to the untreated diabetic group. HOMA–β cell index significantly increased (p = 0.001) in ginger plus cinnamon, indicating their enhancing effect on insulin secretion in diabetic conditions. p53 gene expression was significantly upregulated (p < 0.001), while β-catenin was insignificantly downregulated (p = 0.32) in ginger plus cinnamon–treated groups. Insulin immunoexpression in β cells significantly increased (p = 0.001, p = 0.004) in metformin- and ginger plus cinnamon–treated groups, respectively.

Conclusions: The combined administration of ginger and cinnamon has a significant hypoglycemic and antioxidant effect in STZ-induced diabetes mostly through enhancing repair of islet cells mediated via upregulation of pancreatic p53 expression. Therefore, testing this effect in diabetic patients is recommended.

Potentiation of incretin hormones and modulation of metabolic enzymes as possible mechanisms behind the insulin sensitizing effects of cabbage-metformin treatment

In our study, we treated high fructose diet-induced insulin resistance in rats with any of metformin, cabbage (80%w/w) or combined metformin and cabbage (MetCabb), and observed the activities of glycolysis and gluconeogenesis regulatory enzymes, incretin hormones and other hormones affecting glucose homeostasis. Comparisons were made with normoglycemic noninsulin resistance rats (control) and insulin-resistant untreated rats (INres). Baseline analysis showing elevated fasting blood sugar (>250 mg/dl), insulin (>25 µIU/ml) and HOMA-IR (>10) satisfied the criteria for recruitment into the insulin-resistant groups. Treatment lasted for 12 weeks. HOMA-IR values significantly (P < 0.05) decreased from 24.7 to 5.5 and 10.6 respectively with MetCabb treatment. MetCabb normalized HOMA-IR values and mean β-cell responsiveness of the INres. Cabbage and metCabb normalized the leptin levels relative to control. The mean fasting blood sugar, insulin, and c-peptide levels with MetCabb treatment reverted to control levels. We found a strong positive linear correlation between the glucagon levels (r = 0.9145) and increasing HOMA-IR values while both incretin hormones; GLP-1 and GIP negatively regressed (r = -0.8084 and -0.8488). MetCab treatment produced comparable values of GLP-1 and GIP to the control. A strong positive correlation was found between the HOMA-IR values and the PEPCK (r = 0.9065), F-1,6-BPase (r = 0.7951), and G-6-Pase (r = 0.7893). The hexokinase (r = -0.807), PFK (r = -0.9151), and PK (r = -0.7448) levels regressed as HOMA-IR values increased. The glycolytic and gluconeogenic enzymes except PEPCK reverted to control levels with MetCabb treatment. Combination of metformin and cabbage was more effective than individual treatments.

Biomedical effects of Laurus nobilis L. leaf extract on vital organs in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats: Experimental research

Diabetes mellitus (DM) has been treated with herbs for centuries and many herbs reported to exert antidiabetic activity. Laurus nobilis is an aromatic herb belonging to the Lauraceae family, commonly known as bay. This study aimed to investigate the activity of Laurus nobilis leave extracts on histopathological and biochemical changes in β-cells of streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. Thirty healthy adult male albino rats were included in the study and divided equally into 5 groups for 4 weeks as follow; control group (C), diabetic group (D), diabetic Laurus nobilis extract group (DLN), Laurus nobilis extract group (LN) and diabetic acarbose (DA) group. Histopathologically, D group rats exhibited various degenerative and necrotic changes in their liver, pancreas and kidney, whereas the DLN rats had nearly normal histology. Insulin immunostaining in the pancreatic beta cells was decreased in the D group compared to the C group, whereas the DLN group was similar to the C group. The glucose concentration decreased significantly in both diabetic rats treated with L. nobilis and acarbose (p < 0.05). Additionally, the levels of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) enzyme were significantly decreased in both diabetic rats treated with L. nobilis and acarbose, compared to the D group (p ˃ 0.05). Outcomes of this study said that leave extracts of L. nobilis has valuable effect on blood glucose level and ameliorative effect on regeneration of pancreatic islets, it also restored the altered liver enzymes, urea, creatine kinase, total protein levels, calcium and ferritin to near normal.

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Diabetes mellitus has been treated with herbs for centuries and many herbs reported to exert antidiabetic activity.

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Historically, traditional herbal treatments have been shown to possess successful pharmacological activity, such as in the case with metformin, isolated from Galega officinalis.

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Laurus nobilis has a valuable effect on blood glucose level and ameliorative effect on regeneration of pancreatic islets.

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Laurus nobilis have also been shown to display insulin-enhancing activity in vitro.

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Laurus nobilis also restored the altered liver enzymes, urea, creatine kinase, total protein levels, calcium and ferritin to near normal.

Metformin Ameliorates Oxidative Stress Induced by Diabetes Mellitus and Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Rats

Background

Several studies have found an association between Diabetes mellitus (DM) and an increased risk for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Evidence suggests that Metformin (Met) may have a therapeutic and protective effect against both DM and HCC. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the antioxidant effect of Met against DM and HCC-induced oxidative stress in rat model.

Methods

Forty-two male albino rats were randomly divided into six groups. Group 1 (Gp1) was the control group, Gp2 received an intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection with streptozotocin (STZ), Gp3 was injected i.p. with diethyl nitrosamine (DEN), Gp4 received an oral administration of Met, Gp5 and Gp6 received the same injections as Gp2 and Gp3, respectively, then received an additional injection of Met. Oxidative stress biomarkers, including superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), reduced glutathione (GSH) and malondialdehyde (MDA), were examined. Furthermore, biochemical parameters including liver function tests were assessed. Histopathological and immunohistochemical alterations of the liver were also examined.

Results

Our results demonstrate that Gp2 and Gp3 had significant signs of liver dysfunction and had elevated levels of MDA and reduced levels of SOD, CAT, and GSH. Additionally, Gp2 and Gp3 showed significant alterations in the liver architecture shown by high PCNA and caspase-3 expression. In the Gp5 and Gp6, treatment with Met showed an improvement in liver function, oxidative stress biomarkers, and reduced histopathological changes in hepatocytes.

Conclusion

This study offers insight into the potential for Metformin as a novel therapeutic against the oxidative stress induced by DM or HCC.

Zingiber officinale preserves testicular structure and the expression of androgen receptors and proliferating cell nuclear antigen in diabetic rats

The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of Zingiber officinale, commonly referred to as ginger, in preserving the structural integrity of testis in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats compared to the efficacy of metformin, the traditional effective antidiabetic drug. STZ was utilised for the induction of diabetes mellitus in male Sprague Dawley rats. The study included five groups (n = 6 each), namely the normal control, ginger-treated normal, nontreated diabetic, metformin-treated diabetic and ginger-treated diabetic groups. Biochemical assessment of fasting blood glucose level (BGL) and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) was performed. Histopathological assessment of the testes was performed using routine and immunohistochemical techniques. Fasting BGL significantly (p = .01) reduced, whereas TAC significantly increased (p < .001) in metformin- and ginger-treated diabetic rats compared to those in untreated diabetic rats. Metformin and ginger reduced the degenerative changes observed in the testes of diabetic rats, significantly reduced (p < .001) caspase-3 immunoexpression, and significantly increased (p < .001) the immune-expression of androgen receptors and proliferating cell nuclear antigen. Ginger has antidiabetic effects and preserves testicular structural integrity and, thus, is recommended as an adjuvant therapy for male diabetic patients in the reproductive period.

Renoprotective Effect of Ocimum Basilicum (Basil) Against Diabetes-induced Renal Affection in Albino Rats

Introduction:

Diabetic nephropathy is the second most common secondary type of glomerular diseases among Saudi patients after systemic lupus erythematosus. Ocimum basilicum (O. basilicum) was reported to have anti-diabetic and antioxidants effects.

Aim:

This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of O. basilicum in controlling STZ-induced diabetes mellitus in rats and preserving the structure of kidney against diabetes-induced nephropathy.

Methods:

This study utilized forty adult male Spraque-Dawley rats assigned into four groups (n=10 each); control, streptozotocin-induced diabetic, metformin-treated and O. Basilicum-treated groups. The blood glucose level (BGL), total anti-oxidant capacity (TAC), serum creatinine and BUN levels were assessed. Kidneys were dissected out and processed for histopathological and immunohistochemical assessment.

Results:

The BGL significantly decreased in Metformin- and O. basilicum-treated (p=0.02, p=0.01) rats while TAC significantly increased (p=0.01, p=0.003) respectively, compared to the untreated diabetic rats. In addition, O. basilicum significantly reduced (p=0.004, p=0.02) both creatinine and BUN levels compared to the untreated diabetic group, respectively. Examination of kidney of O. basilicum-treated diabetic rats revealed few degenerated renal tubules, with no inflammatory cell infiltrates, peritubular capillaries congestion and minimal peritubular collagen fibers deposition. It also reduced immunoexpression of desmin and αsmooth muscle actin in glomeruli of O. basilicum-treated diabetic rats.

Conclusion:

Glucose lowering and antioxidant effects of O. basilicum was evident biochemically in this study. O. basilicum could protect the kidney against diabetes-induced nephropathy as revealed biochemically and histopathologically. Further exploration of the mechanism and assessment of efficacy in human through clinical study are recommended.

Effects of naringenin on vascular changes in prolonged hyperglycaemia in fructose-STZ diabetic rat model

Chronic uncontrolled hyperglycaemia leads to increased oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation resulting in vascular complications and accelerates the progression of diabetic atherosclerosis. Though varieties of modern drugs used in the treatment of diabetes, the complications of diabetes are increasing. Naringenin (NG), has been reported to have potent antioxidant and anti-atherosclerotic properties. However, the effects of NG as vasculoprotective agent in prolonged hyperglycaemia are not well documented. Thus, this study was aimed to determine the effect of NG against vascular changes after prolonged hyperglycaemia in a diabetic rat model. Thirty adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were induced with fructose and streptozotocin to develop the diabetic rat model. After 4 weeks, the rats were randomly divided into 5 groups each group consisting of 6 animals: control, control treated with NG, non-treated diabetes mellitus (DM), DM treated with NG and metformin-treated DM. The treatment with NG (50 mg/kg) and metformin were continued for 5 weeks. The results showed that consumption of NG at 4 weeks post diabetic did not improved blood sugar, blood pressure and serum lipid profile. However, NG did significantly improve oxidative stress parameters in the aortic tissue like malondialdehyde (MDA). Analysis through light microscopy and transmission electron microscope (TEM) reverted the histological changes caused by prolonged hyperglycaemia. The findings thus demonstrated that introduction of NG after prolonged exposure to hyperglycaemia improved the vascular deterioration in diabetic group by decreasing oxidative stress evident by the reduced in the lipid peroxidation activity. Thus, this study showed the potential use of NG as adjunct in managing the diabetic condition during late presentation.

Efficacy of Ginger (Zingiber officinale) in Ameliorating Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Liver Injury in Rats: Histological and Biochemical Studies

Ginger (Zingiber officinale) was reported to have an antioxidant, antidiabetic effect. This study was done to investigate its therapeutic effect against functional and structural alteration in liver of diabetic rat (intraperitoneal streptozotocin (STZ) in a dose of 60 mg/kg/bw). Thirty adult male rats (three-months-old and 250 g weight) were sorted into five groups (N=6). G1 used as control, G2 was diabetic rats without any treatment, G3 was diabetic rats given oral ginger in a dose of 500 mg/kg/bw, G4 was diabetic rats treated with metformin (500 mg/kg/bw) while G5 received ginger orally. The experiment lasts for six weeks, animals were anesthetized by ether, body weight was recorded for all animals. Blood was collected for further analysis of lipid profile, liver enzymes and total antioxidant. Liver was dissected, weighted and samples were processed for histopathological study. The results showed significant decrease of glaucous level and liver enzymes in ginger treated rats. Total antioxidant was preserved. Ginger lowered blood glucose, level, regained body weight and liver index to near normal values. Diabetes induced degenerative changes and micro-vesicular lipid deposition in hepatocytes with moderate portal area fibrosis. Ultrastructure study confirmed such changes beside demonstrating increased lipid deposition in fat storing cells. Ginger was found to ameliorate those changes in treated animals. Results were matching metformin effects. In conclusion, Ginger as a natural safe Herbal medication can be used to support liver functions in diabetic status.

DIBc, a nanochelating-based nano metal-organic framework, shows anti-diabetic effects in high-fat diet and streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

Aims

Despite daily increase in diabetic patients in the world, currently approved medications for this disease, at best, only reduce its progression speed. Using novel technologies is a solution for synthetizing more efficient medicines. In the present study, we evaluated anti-diabetic effects of DIBc, a nano metal–organic framework, which is synthetized based on nanochelating technology.

Methods

High-fat diet and streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats were treated by DIBc or metformin for 6 weeks.

Results

DIBc decreased plasma glucose, triglyceride, cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein, and low-density lipoprotein compared with diabetic and metformin groups. In DIBc-treated rats, significant homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance index, malondialdehyde, and tumor necrosis factor-α decrease was observed. H&E staining showed increased islet number and area in DIBc-treated rats compared with diabetic controls.

Conclusion

The results showed anti-diabetic effects of nanochelating-based framework. So DIBc, as a nano structure, has the capacity to be evaluated in future studies as a novel anti-diabetic agent.

Antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-apoptotic effects of zinc supplementation in testes of rats with experimentally induced diabetes

One of the major obstacles that males with diabetes may confront is subfertility or infertility. Thus, the present study investigated the effect of co-administration of metformin and zinc (Zn) on the testes of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Male albino rats were randomly divided into 4 groups: control group; untreated diabetic group; diabetic + metformin group, in which diabetic rats were treated orally with metformin (250 mg/kg) once daily for 4 weeks; and diabetic + metformin + Zn group, in which diabetic rats were treated orally with metformin in combination with Zn (10 mg/kg) once daily for 4 weeks. Concomitant administration of metformin and Zn produced a significant decrease in serum levels of glucose and insulin and testicular levels of malondialdehyde and tumor necrosis factor α. Additionally, there was a significant increase in serum levels of Zn, testosterone, and follicle-stimulating hormone, as well as testicular total antioxidant capacity and anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2, when compared with both the diabetic and metformin-treated diabetic groups. Moreover, co-administration of Zn and metformin significantly improved testicular histopathology, with a significant reduction in percent area of collagen fibers and nuclear factor kappa B (p65) immunoreactivity and a significant increase in seminiferous tubule diameter and connexin 43 immunoreactivity as compared with the diabetic and metformin-treated diabetic groups. In conclusion, the combination of Zn and metformin was an efficacious and safe alternative treatment, as it had superior antihyperglycemic efficacy and provided additional benefits over metformin alone in rats with type 2 diabetes.

The effect of betulinic acid on leptin, adiponectin, hepatic enzyme levels and lipid profiles in streptozotocin-nicotinamide-induced diabetic mice

Diabetes mellitus is developed by lack of insulin secretion or reduction of tissues sensitivity to insulin, which lead to serious complications. The aim of this study is to evaluate antihyperlipidemic effect of betulinic acid (BA) on streptozotocin-nicotinamide (STZ-NA) induced diabetic mice. In this experimental study, seventy adult male NMRI mice (20-25 g) were divided randomly into seven groups (n = 10) of control, sham, diabetes, diabetes + BA (10, 20 and 40 mg/kg), and diabetes + metformin (200 mg/kg). Diabetes was induced by intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of a single dose of STZ (50 mg/kg) 15 min after an i.p. administration of nicotinamide (NA) (120 mg/kg). BA and metformin were orally administered and after two weeks blood samples were taken. Blood levels of leptin, adiponectin, lipid profile and liver enzyme were then measured. One day after the last drug administration, liver was removed to evaluate the histological changes. A significant increase (P < 0.05) in the plasma levels of leptin, alanine-aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate-aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), cholesterol, and a significant decrease in adiponectin and high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) were observed in diabetic mice. The groups treated with BA indicated a significant decrease in leptin, AST, ALT, ALP, TG, cholesterol, LDL-C and an increases in adiponectin and HDL levels, while VLDL did not show significant changes. BA was found to have positive effects on liver injury. BA has an effective role on liver damage induced by diabetes through amelioration of leptin, adiponectin, liver enzyme levels and lipid profile. Since BA has a positive effect on lipid profile, adiponectin and leptin, it may improve metabolic syndrome.