Cytoprotective and anti-diabetic effects of Derris reticulata aqueous extract

Abstract

The current study was aimed to investigate pancreatic protective and anti-diabetic activities of the aqueous extract of Derris reticulata stem. First, we evaluated a cytoprotective potential of D. reticulata extract on alloxan-induced damage in vitro. Treatment with D. reticulata extract at the doses of 250 and 500 μg/ml significantly increased cell viability of the pancreatic β-cell line RINm5F after exposure of alloxan. The anti-hyperglycemic activity of D. reticulata extract was further studied in alloxan-induced diabetic rats. A significant reduction in blood glucose level along with an increase in body weight was observed in diabetic rats treated with D. reticulata extract at 250 mg/kg body weight for 15 days. Serum aspartate transaminase and alanine transaminase levels were also significantly decreased compared to diabetic control rats. In accordance with in vitro cytoprotective effect, histopathological examination revealed that pancreatic islet cells of the extract-treated diabetic rat were less damage than those of the untreated diabetic group. In order to find another possible mechanism of action underling hypoglycemic activity, the effect on glucose absorption was examined using everted sac jejunum. The results showed that D. reticulata extract suppressed glucose absorption from small intestine. To corroborate safety use of D. reticulata extract, acute oral toxicity was also conducted in rats. Our results showed that none of the tested doses (250, 500, 1,000, and 2,000 mg/kg) induced signs of toxicity or mortality after administration of the extract. The results suggested that D. reticulata extract possess anti-diabetic activity, which resulting from its pancreatic cytoprotective effect and inhibition of intestinal glucose absorption.

Therapeutic Benefits of Garlic against Alloxan-Induced Diabetic in Rats

“…Similarly, the elevation of creatinine level caused by diabetes was declined after administration of garlic by 26% (p < 0.05) compared with the diabetic group (Table 1). These results are in agreement with other previous studies on root extract of panax ginseng [40] and herbal Derris reticulata [41] .…”

Antioxidant, α-glucosidase inhibitory activity and sub-chronic toxicity of Derris reticulata extract: its antidiabetic potential

“…Several plant extracts have been shown to exert antidiabetic property through α-glucosidase inhibition, for example, the aqueous extract of Ficus deltoidea [22], the acetone leaf extracts of F. lutea [36] and the hydro-alcoholic extracts of Polygonum senegalensis and P. kotschyi [37]. In addition to the interference of intestinal glucose absorption as previously reported [6], it was found in the present study that D. reticulata extract also inhibited α-glucosidase in vitro with the IC 50 of 918 ± 172 μg/ml, whereas the IC 50 of acarbose, an antidiabetic drug known to inhibit intestinal α-glucosidase, was 1379 ± 17 μg/ml (Figure 2). This action should contribute to the anti-hyperglycemic effect of the extract.…”

“…The aqueous extract of D. reticulata stem was previously reported to possess potential antidiabetic property in rats [6]. The phytochemical analysis of the aqueous extract of D. reticulata stem revealed several phenolic constituents which could have potential antidiabetic property as shown in some other herbs.…”

“…Plant collection and extraction were performed as previously described by our group [6]. Briefly, small pieces of dried stem (100 g) were boiled twice with 500 ml of distilled water for 10 min each.…”

“…In Thailand, the use of traditional medicine plays an important role in public health care and many medicinal plants have been used to treat several ailments including diabetes [5]. In our previous report, the efficacy of the aqueous extract of Derris reticulata stems, a local plant used by some rural Thais to treat diabetes, has been demonstrated in alloxan-induced diabetic rats [6]. In this report, we further investigated antioxidant activity of D. reticulata extract to support its cytoprotective potential.…”