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Immunohistochemistry, histopathology, and biomarker studies of swertiamarin, a secoiridoid glycoside, prevents and protects streptozotocin-induced β-cell damage in Wistar rat pancreas

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Abstract

Background

Diabetes mellitus is globally the major cause for metabolic syndrome in STZ-induced diabetic rats, leading to mortality. Treatment of diabetes by oral hypoglycemic agents causes adverse side effects and thus treatment with natural herbal drugs like swertiamarin is promising. Swertiamarin, an active compound isolated from Enicostemma littorale possesses antidiabetic activity and enhances β cell regeneration which causes reversal of diabetes.

Objectives

The present study aims at the following: (1) to evaluate antidiabetic, anti-hyperlipidaemic, activity of swertiamarin in Streptozotocin- induced diabetic rats using biomarkers. (2) To assess histopathological alterations in Pancreas, Liver, Kidney, and Heart of swertiamarin-treated STZ-induced diabetic rats and confirm cytoprotective activity of swertiamarin by Immunohistochemistry and morphometric investigations.

Methods

Diabetes was induced intraperitoneally in male Wistar rats by Streptozotocin (STZ 50 mg/kg). After STZ-induction, hyperglycemic rats were treated with doses of swertiamarin orally (15, 25, 50 mg/kg) each for 28 days. Glibenclamide (2.5 mg/kg), a sulphonyl urea, was used as a standard drug. The glycemic control was measured by the biochemical parameter assays. Histopathology analysis of organs and immunohistochemistry of islets were carried out.

Results

Our study results showed that oral administration of swertiamarin at a dosage of 15, 25, 50 mg/kg bw for 28 days resulted in a significant (p < 0.01) decrease in fasting blood glucose, HbA1c, TC, TG, LDL, and increased the levels of hemoglobin, plasma insulin, TP, body weight, and HDL levels significantly (p < 0.01) when compared to STZ-induced diabetic rats, as confirmed by immunohistochemical studies. The effect of swertiamarin on Carbohydrate-metabolizing enzymes was investigated and found to have normal therapeutic activity. Histopathological studies of Pancreas of swertiamarin-treated diabetic rats showed regeneration of islets when compared to STZ-induced diabetic rats, as confirmed by immunohistochemical studies.

Conclusion

Our research results clearly substantiate that swertiamarin possesses antihyperglycemic, antihyperlipidemic, cytoprotective, and immune reactivity and also a broad spectrum potential of treating diabetes and other complications related to diabetes and hence can be developed into a potent oral antidiabetic drug.

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Acknowledgments

The author likes to acknowledge and thank the Institutional support and particularly the Research support rendered by Dr. P. Velusamy, Assistant Professor, Department of Biotechnology, School of Bioengineering, SRM University, throughout the research work.

Conflict of interest

The author declares no conflict of interest.

Ethical approval

All procedures performed in the study involving animals were in accordance with the ethical standards of the institution for the care and use of animals (Animal Ethical committee approval Reg. no. 61/IAEC/2011).

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  1. Department of Biotechnology, SRM University, Kattankulathur, Chennai, 603203, Tamilnadu, India

    G. Dhanavathy

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Dhanavathy, G. Immunohistochemistry, histopathology, and biomarker studies of swertiamarin, a secoiridoid glycoside, prevents and protects streptozotocin-induced β-cell damage in Wistar rat pancreas. J Endocrinol Invest 38, 669–684 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40618-015-0243-5

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