Antidiabetic and anti-inflammatory effects of two Fabaceae extracts against streptozotocin induced diabetic impairment in male rats

Abstract

The present study aimed to investigate the antidiabetic and anti-inflammatory effects of Trifolium alexandrinum (TA) and Trifolium Pretense (TP) against streptozotocin induced diabetic impairment in male rats. Forty adult Wistar albino male rats were divided into four groups: Group 1, Control; Group 2, streptozotocin (STZ); Group 3, STZ + TA -treated group and Group 4, STZ + TP-treated group. TA and TP showed a significant reduction in the blood glucose, glycosylated hemoglobin (Hb A1C) levels and elevation in insulin and C-peptide. They restored the glycogen content of liver and skeletal muscle, also showed improvements in the activities of α-amylase, carbohydrate metabolic enzymes, lipase and lipid profile. Treatment with TA and TP extracts resulted in an improvement of the oxidative parameters and enhancement in the antioxidant enzymes in the pancreas and liver. While, pancreatic TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, NO, iNos and caspase-3 levels were significantly reduced with the treatment of TA and TP extracts. Administration of TA and TP extracts to diabetic rats revealed elevation in the GLUT4 levels of the skeletal muscle and pancreas. They caused up regulation in pancreatic GLUT2 gene expression. TA and TP extracts showed signs of regeneration of β-cells and improvement in the pancreatic tissue. It could be concluded that TA and TP extracts possess antioxidant and hypoglycemic potential resulting in reduction of the elevated oxidative stress and pro-inflammatory cytokines.

Neurotherapeutic effects of quercetin-loaded nanoparticles and Biochanin-A extracted from Trifolium alexandrinum on PI3K/Akt/GSK-3β signaling in the cerebral cortex of male diabetic rats

“…To treat diabetes, traditional medicinal plants and their derived natural compounds have become a focus of research efforts, as they have fewer adverse effects than contemporary medicine [ 8 ]. Furthermore, natural compounds can interact synergistically with other components of the same plant, amplifying or counteracting their hazardous effects [ 9 ].…”

“…Dietary antioxidants, particularly polyphenols, are being presented as a viable way to prevent and/or cease the pathological progression of neurodegeneration and aging [ 9 ]. Bioflavonoids are secondary polyphenolic metabolites that are abundantly found in numerous fruits and vegetables [ 8 ] and are known to exert several pharmacological effects and remarkable positive impacts on human health [ 9 ].…”

“…Recent studies have demonstrated the anti-diabetic effect of TA extract [ 1 , 8 ]. TA is a medicinal herb that contains numerous phytoconstituents such as flavonoids and their glycosides, isoflavonoids, and terpenoid glycosides [ 8 ].…”

“…Recent studies have demonstrated the anti-diabetic effect of TA extract [ 1 , 8 ]. TA is a medicinal herb that contains numerous phytoconstituents such as flavonoids and their glycosides, isoflavonoids, and terpenoid glycosides [ 8 ]. TA also belongs to the Fabaceae family; it is an Egyptian clover that was introduced into northern India and also grown in Europe, the USA, China, and Australia.…”

“…Two of the most abundant flavonoids found in TA are quercetin (Q) and Biochanin-A (BCA) [ 1 ]. They have been shown to have a number of health benefits, including reducing inflammation, protecting cells from damage, and improving blood sugar control [ 1 , 8 ].…”