Ergosterol Alleviates Kidney Injury in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Mice

Abstract

Ergosterol (ERG) has been widely used in the development of novel drugs due to its unique physiological function. However, little is known about the protective effects of ERG on diabetes. Hence, the current study was designed to evaluate the positive role of ergosterol on streptozotocin- (STZ-) induced diabetes in mice. Oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) was carried out to assess blood glucose level. Biochemical parameters such as uric acid, creatinine, serum insulin, triglycerides (TG), and total cholesterol (TC) were also measured. Pathological condition of kidney was examined by hematoxylin-eosin (H&E) staining. The expressions of PI3K, p-PI3K, Akt, p-Akt, NF-κBp65, p-NF-κBp65, IκBα, and p-IκBα were analyzed by western blot. ERG significantly reduced the concentrations of blood glucose, uric acid, creatinine, TG, and TC. Serum insulin was elevated with ERG treatment. In addition, renal pathologic changes of diabetes mice were also alleviated by ERG. Obtained data revealed that ERG restored the levels of PI3K/Akt/NF-κB signaling-related proteins in comparison with diabetes mice. Above all, it could be assumed that ERG might play a positive role in regulating STZ-induced diabetes through suppressing PI3K/Akt/NF-κB pathway.

Cordyceps militaris Treatment Preserves Renal Function in Type 2 Diabetic Nephropathy Mice

“…However, various antidiabetic drugs and herbal administration have proven inefficacy in preventing DN and leads to further complications [12, 15]. Hence, the current study extended to elucidate renoprotective activity of antidiabetic CmNo1 (already described in previous report) [22]. The mouse model exhibited metabolic abnormalities (hypoinsulinemia, hypertriglyceridemia, and hypercholesterolemia) and renal lesions resembling DN in humans [31].…”

“…Furthermore, the fruiting body extract have been reported to possess greatest hypoglycemic activity than other strains and components but owing to host specificity and rarity in nature the fruiting bodies are much expensive [20, 21]. In our previous study, antidiabetic activity of CmNo1 has already been demonstrated [22]. So, in this report, we aimed to investigate whether CmNo1 also possess renoprotective effect.…”

Sansevieria roxburghiana Schult. & Schult. F. (Family: Asparagaceae) Attenuates Type 2 Diabetes and Its Associated Cardiomyopathy

“…Oleic acid has been reported to counteract with the inhibitory effect of inflammatory cytokines in insulin production [62]. Ergosterol has been reported to possess significant hypoglycemic effect and counteract with diabetic pathophysiology via inhibiting NF-κB mediated inflammatory signals [63]. Stigmasterol is also known to possess hypoglycemic effect [64].…”

Chronic over-nutrition and dysregulation of GSK3 in diseases

“… Restore PI3K/Akt signaling damaged in diabetic mice; ergosterol-related compounds induce cell apoptosis depending on a protein-promoted Akt activation. [ 177 , 178 ] Garlicin Human cellosaurus cells Suppress PI3K/Akt pathway. [ 179 ] Garlic Fructose-fed diabetic SD rats Activate PI3K/Akt in Diabetes rats.…”