Effect of long-term treatment of Carvacrol on glucose metabolism in Streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice

Abstract

Background: Carvacrol is a food additive with various bioactivities, including reducing the blood glucose level as well as improvement of heart function, in diabetic mice. We explored the antihyperglycemic effect of carvacrol and its effect on the key hepatic enzymes accounting for glucose metabolism. Methods: A streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetes-mellitus model in mice was used. Mice were divided randomly into a control group, diabetic group, low dose carvacrol-treated diabetic group (10 mg/kg body weight [BW]), and high dose carvacrol-treated diabetic group (20 mg/kg BW). Carvacrol was injected intraperitoneally (i.p.) in each carvacrol-treated group daily for 4 weeks and 6 weeks, respectively. The level of random plasma glucose, fasting plasma glucose, and plasma insulin was determined at 4 weeks and 6 weeks after carvacrol administration. The plasma level of total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and the activity of hepatic key enzymes related to glucose metabolism were determined. Results: Carvacrol treatment decreased the levels of random plasma glucose and fasting plasma glucose, significantly in a dose-dependent manner. A significant improvement in glucose tolerance and a significant decrease in the plasma level of TG were observed in carvacrol-treated diabetic mice at a dose of 20 mg/kg BW compared with that in vehicle-treated diabetic mice. There was no significant difference in the plasma level of TC and insulin between vehicle-treated diabetic mice and carvacrol-treated diabetic mice. Carvacrol treatment at a dose of 20 mg/kg BW significantly reduced the plasma level of LDH but not AST, ALT, or ALP, compared with that in the vehicle-treated diabetic group. The activity of hexokinase (HK), 6-phosphofructokinase (PFK), and citrate synthetase (CS) was increased by carvacrol treatment in diabetic mice. Conclusions: Carvacrol exerted an anti-hyperglycemic effect in STZ-induced diabetic mice. This was achieved through regulating glucose metabolism by increasing the activity of the hepatic enzymes HK, PFK, and CS.

Potential Novel Serum Metabolic Markers Associated With Progression of Prediabetes to Overt Diabetes in a Chinese Population

“…Inosine is a potent stimulator of insulin secretion from isolated mouse islet cells ( 32 ), but its relation with diabetes development in humans remains unknown. Carvacrol is a predominant constituent of essential oils and has well-known antioxidant, antimicrobial, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory properties ( 33 , 34 ), and exerted an anti-hyperglycemic effect in STZ-induced diabetic mice and a protective role in diabetes-induced aortic hypercontractility ( 35 , 36 ). In the present study, the OR associated with metabolites and clinical factors for the risk of diabetes after adjustment for confounding factors are analyzed.…”

A Multi-Biomarker Approach in European Sea Bass Exposed to Dynamic Temperature Changes under Dietary Supplementation with Origanum vulgare Essential Oil

“…Several authors associated the reduction in blood glucose to the hypoglycemic effects of carvacrol [ 55 , 56 , 57 , 58 ]. By improving insulin sensibility and promoting intracellular glucose uptake, carvacrol treatment may also prevent ROS production and oxidative damage [ 59 ]. To some extent, the energy stores depletion during stress exposure [ 26 ] could explain the poor growth rates observed with CD compared to D100.…”

Use of Monoterpenes as Potential Therapeutics in Diabetes Mellitus: A Prospective Review

“…Carvacrol in STZ-induced rats decreased random plasma glucose and fasting plasma glucose levels signifcantly in a dose-dependent manner. Carvacrol at a dose of 20 mg/kg in diabetic mice caused the decrease in plasma triglyceride level and signifcantly reduced plasma LDH level, but not AST, ALT, or ALP, and there was increased activity of hexokinase (HK), 6-phosphofructokinase (PFK), and citrate synthase (CS) [61]. Te study by Zhao et al [62] showed improvement in glucose and insulin resistance of T2DM db/db mice treated with 10 mg/kg carvacrol.…”