Anti-diabetic effects of campomanesia xanthocarpa Berg leaf decoction

The objective of this research was to identify the effects of 3-week treatment of normal and streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats using a leaf decoction of Campomanesia xanthocarpa Berg. (20 g/L) on physiological, biochemical and histological parameters. Streptozotocin (STZ, 70 mg/kg in citrate buffer, pH 4.5) was administered IP to induce experimental diabetes one week prior to the treatment. STZ caused typical diabetic symptoms: polydypsia, polyuria, polyphagia, hyperglycemia, hypertriglyceridemia and histopathological modifications in the pancreas, liver and kidney. The treatment of diabetic rats using the decoction decreased blood glucose levels, inhibited hepatic glycogen loss, and prevented potential histopathological alterations in the pancreas and kidneys. No differences were found between the control rats treated with the decoction and the control rats maintained on water only. In conclusion, these results suggest that C. xanthocarpa leaf decoction (20g/L) might be useful for diabetes mellitus management, but further pharmacological and toxicological studies are needed.

O objetivo deste trabalho foi identificar os efeitos do tratamento com o decocto das folhas de Campomanesia xanthocarpa Berg. (20 g/L), durante 3 semanas, sobre parâmetros fisiológicos, bioquímicos e histológicos de ratos normais e diabéticos induzidos por estreptozotocina. O diabete melito foi induzido uma semana antes de iniciar o tratamento experimental, pela administração IP de estreptozotocina (STZ, 70 mg/kg em tampão citrato, pH 4.5). Os ratos tratados com STZ apresentaram sintomas típicos de diabete: polifagia, polidipsia, hiperglicemia, hipertrigliceridemia e alterações histopatológicas no pâncreas, fígado e rim. O tratamento dos ratos diabéticos com o decocto diminuiu os níveis de glicose sanguínea, inibiu a degradação do glicogênio hepático e preveniu possíveis alterações histopatológicas no pâncreas e no rim. Nos ratos controles tratados com o decocto não foram verificadas diferenças significativas em relação aos controles tratados com água. Em conclusão, os resultados sugerem que o tratamento com o decocto das folhas de C. xanthocarpa leaf decoction (20 g/L) possa ser útil para o manejo do diabete melito, porém estudos farmacológicos e toxicológicos ainda são necessários.

Effects of Polygonatum odoratum on In vivo Insulin Activity in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rats

This study investigated the in vivo insulin function of Polygonatum odoratum in normal and diabetic male Sprague-Dawley rats. Diabetes mellitus was induced by an i.p. injection of streptozotocin. Normal and diabetic rats were assigned to the diet groups of the control basal diet and Polygonatum odoratum diet. The animals were fed the diet and water ad libitum for 15 days. Initial and final body weights, total food intake and serum glucose and insulin levels were measured. An insulin suppression test was performed to elucidate the insulin function in the peripheral tissues. The results showed that the final serum glucose levels significantly decreased in the diabetic rats on the Polygonatum odoratum diet compared with the diabetic rats on the control diet. The final serum insulin levels were increased in the diabetic rats on the Polygonatum odoratum diet compared with the diabetic rats on the control diet. The in vivo function of the insulin increased in the diabetic rats on the Polygonatum odoratum compared with the diabetic rats on the control diet. These data indicate that Polygonatum odoratum may be beneficial in improving the in vivo insulin function in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.