The antidiabetic effect and mode of action of Socrpio maurus palmatus body extract were evaluated in diabetic mice induced by alloxan. 24 male albino mice were divided into four groups. Group 1 was injected intraperitoneally with physiological saline. Group 2 was injected (i.p., daily for 5 weeks) with 300 mg/kg of the scorpion aqueous extract. Group 3 was received alloxan (150 mg/kg, i.p). Group 4 was diabetic and treated with scorpion extract (300 mg/kg, i.p., daily for 5 weeks). Several relevant biochemical parameters and histological examination of Langerhans islets were evaluated. The administration of scorpion extract significantly elevated the level of plasma insulin which was concomitant with a remarkable decrease in the level of blood glucose in diabetic mice. Furthermore, scorpion extract showed a notable ameliorative effect through enhancing the status of antioxidants and recovering the altered biochemical parameters in diabetic mice. Interestingly, scorpion extract significantly increased the number of β-cells and the size of pancreatic islets in diabetic mice. Accordingly, the obtained results demonstrate the antidiabetic effect of scorpion extract in alloxan-induced diabetic mice through its antioxidant and regeneration capacity.
Cyanobacteria or blue green algae have become more world wide spread, Oscillatoria brevis (O. brevis) is one of the most toxic species collected from freshwater Suez canal during algal bloom condition and was grown in blue green medium (BG-11) under laboratory conditions. In vitro assessment of cardio-toxicity of O. brevis was carried out by recording Electrocardiogram (ECG) after direct perfusion of isolated toads' hearts with 5µg/ml of O. brevis extract. Moreover, the mechanism of action of O. brevis extract on myocardium was revealed by the pharmacological tests using muscarinic receptor blocker (atropine sulfate), propranolol hydrochloride and verapamil. Oxidative stress induced by O. brevis was estimated by incubation of mice blood with 1µg/ml of O. brevis at 37 0 C for 2, 4, 6, 8 and 24 hours respectively to determine the level of lipid peroxidation and antioxidants activities. Perfusion of isolated toads' hearts with 5µg/ml O. brevis extract significantly decreased the heart rate with an increase in the conduction time (P-R interval). Also, a remarkable increase in the power of ventricular contraction was observed, It was suggested that O. brevis could act through Ca 2+ channels where verapamil application abolished the increase in myocardial contractility noticed after 10 minutes of O. brevis extract application. Lipid peroxidation and blood catalase activity significantly increased while a pronounced decline of blood glutathione concentration and erythrocyte superoxide dismutase activity were noticed. Oxidative stress induced by O. brevis could underlying the cardiotoxicity which is represented by sinus arrhythmia, ectopic beats and heart infarction.
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