Effect of Persian shallot (Allium hirtifolium Boiss.) extract on glucokinase (GCK), glycogen phosphorylase and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK) genes expression in diabetic rats

Abstract

There has been a growing interest in hypoglycaemic agents from natural products, especially those derived from plants. In the current survey, hypoglycaemic properties of Persian shallot (Allium hirtifolium Boiss) was evaluated by studying mRNA expression levels of the key enzymes involved in carbohydrate metabolism in liver, Glucokinase (GCK), phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK), and glycogen phosphorylase. Thirty two male rats were divided into 4 groups of 8, diabetic groups received 100 and 200 mg/kg Persian shallot extract, diabetic control and normal control received 0.9% saline for 30 days. At the end of the experimental period blood and liver samples were collected. FBS and insulin levels were measured and followed by analysis of the gene expression by Real-Time PCR based methods. Findings indicated that the Persian shallot significantly reduces the FBS level in parallel with slight enhancement of insulin in diabetic rats' serum. Investigations of gene expression showed that Persian shallot gently increased GCK and glycogen phosphorylase but decreased PEPCK gene activity, in diabetic rats. In conclusion, the data suggest that Persian shallot is an effective hypoglycaemic agent, the observed effect may be via its ability to enhance insulin secretion and GCK gene expression and to decrease hepatic glucose output by reducing PEPCK.

Hypoglycaemic Activity of CulinaryPleurotus ostreatusandP.cystidiosusMushrooms in Healthy Volunteers and Type 2 Diabetic Patients on Diet Control and the Possible Mechanisms of Action

“…HYPOGLYCAEMIC ACTIVITY AND THE POSSIBLE MECHANISMS OF PLEUROTUS OSTREATUS AND P. CYSTIDIOSUS from β cells (Cox and Nelson, 2008). Moreover, high levels of GK can cause an increase in utilization of blood glucose and promote glycogen storage in the liver whereas low levels of GK favours the release of glucose into the circulation via gluconeogenesis (Mahmoodi et al, 2013). Therefore, it is advantageous to have increased activity of GK during the treatment of diabetes mellitus, and the role of glucokinase activators (GKA) such as piragliatin has been discussed (Bonadonna et al, 2010;Matschinsky et al, 2011).…”