Protective effects of a standardized extract of Iris germanica on pancreas and liver in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

Abstract

Background and purpose: Previous studies have shown the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, and hypolipidemic activities of Iris germanica . The aim of the present study was to evaluate the protective effects of hydroalcoholic extract of Iris germanica rhizomes on streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Experimental approach: Twenty-four male Wistar rats were randomly assigned into four groups including a normal control group, diabetic control group, diabetic groups treated for 4 weeks with 100 and 200 mg/kg/day of the Iris germanica extract (IGE). Findings/Results: Induction of diabetes significantly decreased the body weight gain and considerably increased the serum levels of glucose, triglyceride, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP). Diabetes also diminished the antioxidant capacity of the liver (decrease of thiol groups) and significantly degenerated pancreatic islands. The IGE at both doses of 100 and 200 mg/kg significantly reduced the levels of glucose, triglyceride, AST, ALT, and ALP. Moreover, IGE increased the total antioxidant capacity of the liver and ameliorated pancreatic island morphology. The extract had no significant effect on body weight and BUN level. Conclusion and implication: These findings suggest that Iris germanica rhizomes inhibits the progression of hyperglycemia and hypertriglyceridemia and has protective effects against diabetes-induced injury of the liver and pancreas. Therefore, this plant has the potential to be used as a natural product for controlling diabetes.

Exploring the Use of Iris Species: Antioxidant Properties, Phytochemistry, Medicinal and Industrial Applications

“…The protective effect was ascribed to the significant amounts of flavonoids and anthocyanins in the hydroalcoholic extract. The authors supported the use of the plant as a natural antioxidant source to preserve the human body from free-radical-related disorders, especially diabetes mellitus and hepatic injury [137].…”

“…Flavonoids are the most abundant group of phenolic compounds in the genus Iris. They are mainly represented by flavones and flavone glycosides (13)(14)(15)(16)(17)(18)(19)(20)(21)(22)(23)(24)(25)(26)(27)(28), isoflavones , flavanols , flavan-3-ols (104, 105), dihydroflavonol (107), flavanonol (110)(111)(112)(113), xanthones (114)(115)(116)(117)(118)(119)(120)(121)(122)(123)(124)(125)(126)(127)(128)(129)(130) and anthocyanins (131)(132)(133)(134)(135)(136)(137)(138)(139)(140) [79,…”

“…Both compounds are considered proanthocyanidin indicators, indicating the existence of procyanidins in the genus. Anthocyanins (131)(132)(133)(134)(135)(136)(137)(138)(139)(140) are another important subclass of flavonoids and are particularly found in the flowers of several Iris species, including I. ensata Thunb, I. germanica L., I. domestica L., etc. [98].…”

“…Mahdinezhad et al [137] investigated the in vivo protective effects of I. germanica L. hydroalcoholic extract at doses of 100 and 200 mg/kg on the liver and pancreas of a streptozotocin-induced diabetic rat model for 4 weeks. Accordingly, the repeated oral administration of the extract lowered the high level of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) compared with diabetic control rats.…”

“…that have been evaluated for their antidiabetic activity are I. germanica L. and I. ensata Thunb. In this sense, Mahdinezhad et al [137] studied the hypoglycemic effect of the hydroalcoholic extract of I. germanica L. rhizomes on streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. The repeated oral administration of the doses of 100 and 200 mg/kg for 4 weeks significantly decreased the levels of glucose, triglycerides and oxidative stress markers levels such as ALT (alanine aminotransferase), AST (aspartate aminotransferase) and ALP (alkaline phosphatase).…”