Protective Effect of Galactomannan Extracted from Iraqi <i>Lycium barbarum</i> L. Fruits against Alloxan-Induced Diabetes in Rats

Abstract

Lycium barbarum L. (Solanaceae) is widely used in Iraqi Ayurvedic medicine for the treatment of diabetes mellitus. The present investigation was done to evaluate the effects of polysaccharide (galactomannan) from Lycium barbarum L. Fruits (GLBF) on serum blood glucose, serum lipid profile and lipid peroxidation and antioxidant defence system in liver and kidney of alloxan-induced diabetic rats. GLBF was found to be non-toxic at 1000 mg kg −1 , as no deaths or hazardous signs were recorded during treatment or the observation period (24 and 72 h) in either control or treated groups of mice. In GLBF (500 mg kg −1 ), the onset was 4 h, the peak effect was 6 h but the effect waned at 24 h. In the chronic study, repeated administration (once a day for 21 days) of the glibenclamide and GLBF caused a significant reduction in the serum glucose level as compared to the diabetic control group. GLBF (500 mg kg −1 ) treatment prevented a decrease in the body weight of the diabetic rats. Moreover, the results revealed that GLBF (500 mg kg −1 ) treatment for 21 days significantly (p<0.01) reduced the levels of lipid profile, lipid peroxidation, improving kidney and liver functions, enhanced insulin level and increased the levels of enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants. The findings in this study suggest that polysaccharide (galactomannan) from Lycium barbarum L. Fruits (GLBF) possess good pharmacological activities, which might be helpful in controls the blood glucose level, improves body weight, lipid metabolism and prevents diabetic complications associated with lipid peroxidation and also maintains the antioxidant enzymatic and nonenzymatic in experimental diabetic rats. The extract seems promising for the development of a phytomedicine for diabetes mellitus.

Spice-Derived Bioactive Ingredients: Potential Agents or Food Adjuvant in the Management of Diabetes Mellitus

“…These studies support the in vitro data and further confirm the amelioration of post-prandial hyperglycemia by the galactomannan. In another study, oral administration of galactomannan (250–500 mg/kg bw) for 3 weeks reduced FBG (59.4%) and improved serum insulin levels in alloxan induced diabetic rats (Al-Fartosy, 2015 ). However, a reduction of about 40% on FBG level and improved antioxidant potential were reported upon 2 h post-administration of galactomannan (500 mg/kg bw) in the same animal model (Kamble and Bodhankar, 2013 ; Kamble et al, 2013 ).…”

“…Galactomannan was reported to be safe up to 8 g/kg with no deleterious effects after 3 days post-administration period (Anwar et al, 2009 ; Al-Fartosy, 2015 ). This was similarly reported even after repeated doses for 90 days (Deshpande et al, 2016a ).…”

Select Polyphenol-Rich Berry Consumption to Defer or Deter Diabetes and Diabetes-Related Complications

“…Purified GBPS in pancreatic cells increased glucose uptake and metabolism, insulin secretion, and proliferation. The enhanced glucose metabolism mechanism was associated with increased hepatic hexokinase and pyruvate kinase expression/activity ( Table 1 ) [ 26 , 161 ]. GBPS may block the ATP-sensitive K + channel, activate glycogen synthetase and insulin-like growth factor, enhance peripheral glucose utilization, or inhibit glucagon releasing factors in pancreatic α-cells [ 197 ].…”

A Network Pharmacology Approach to Investigate the Mechanism of Erjing Prescription in Type 2 Diabetes

“…Rui Zhao reported L. barbarum polysaccharides improved the insulin resistance in NIDDM rats [18]. Galactomannan extracted from Iraqi L. barbarum fruit treatment improved the bodyweight and alleviated diabetic complications associated with lipid peroxidation in the alloxan-induced diabetes in rats [19]. Besides, phenolic amides from L. barbarum also had an immunomodulatory activity [20].…”