ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: This study aims at evaluating the anti-diabetic, hypolipidemic, and pancreatic histopathological changes of Rhizophora mucronata and Avicennia marina. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The experimental rats were divided into eight groups (n = 15 each). Streptozotocin was used to induce diabetes. Daily oral administration of an aqueous extract from the leaves of R. mucronata and A. marina at 400 mg/kg BW, and a mixture of the two extracts for 6 weeks was assessed. The measurements of serum glucose, insulin, and lipid profile were carried out. Pancreatic specimens were collected from all groups and processed for pathological studies. RESULTS: The study revealed that the plant extracts restored the levels of diabetic markers and lipid profiles of diabetic rats, with no significant changes in non-diabetic ones. The extract of R. mucronata exhibited more promising anti-diabetic and hypolipidemic effects than A. marina singly or combined. CONCLUSION: Leaf extracts from R. mucronata, singly or combined, and A. marina, induced a potent anti-diabetic and hypolipidemic potential in diabetic rats.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: Aqueous extracts of Rhizophora mucronata and Avicennia marina leaves were investigated for their hepatoprotective potential in diabetic rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred twenty male albino rats were randomly assigned to eight equal groups (n = 15). The first group (control) comprised normal healthy rats, while the second to fifth groups were intraperitoneally injected with a single dose of streptozotocin (STZ) [60 mg/kg body weight (BW)] for induction of diabetes. Group 2 was kept as positive diabetic control, while groups 3-5 were orally treated with aqueous extracts of R. mucronata (400 mg/kg BW), A. marina (400 mg/kg BW) and with a combination of ½ a dose of the two plants, respectively, for six weeks. Groups 6-8 were non-diabetic rats that orally received aqueous extracts of R. mucronata (400 mg/kg BW), A. marina (400 mg/kg BW), and a combination of ½ a dose of the two plants, respectively, for 6 weeks. RESULTS: STZ-induced diabetic rats showed a significant reduction in serum glucose and liver enzymes, increased serum insulin, Homeostasis Model Assessment of ß-cells (HOMA-ß), and Homeostasis Model Assessment of Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR). Histopathological and immunohistochemical examinations of the liver revealed improved pathologic criteria in the plant extract treated diabetic rats compared with the remarkable changes which had been seen in STZ-induced diabetic rats. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that the aqueous extract of R. mucronata or its combination with A. marina showed potent hypoglycemic and hepatoprotective effects for liver dysfunction, as well as histopathological and immunohistochemical changes in the liver of STZ-induced diabetic rats.
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: Diabetes mellitus is a common disease worldwide. It is considered as the third leading cause of death, in the developed countries followed by heart diseases and cancer. AIM: The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness of the aqueous fraction of R. mucronata and A. marina leaves grown in Saudi Arabia alone or in combination as antidiabetic agents and explore its effect on the antioxidants status. METHODS: One hundred and twenty male Wistar albino rats were divided into 8 groups were utilized in this study. Streptozotocin (STZ) was utilized for induction of diabetes. The effects of daily oral administration of aqueous extract from the leaves of R. mucronata (400 mg/kg BW), A. marina (400 mg/kg BW) and the combination of both plant extracts for 6 weeks were evaluated on blood glucose, insulin, tissues' antioxidants as well as pancreatic immunohistochemistry in normal, (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. RESULTS: Oral administration of the plants extracts significantly reduced (p ≤ 0.001) serum glucose, insulin and improved the antioxidants status in the liver compared to the untreated rats. Immunohistochemically, the pancreas of diabetic rats treated with R. mucronata revealed a few islets ß-cells (2-3%/ HPF) with positive caspase-3. CONCLUSION: The extract of R. mucronata exhibited a promising antidiabetic, antioxidant and tissue enhancing effects compared with A. marina alone or in combination.
