Asparagus officinalis extract controls blood glucose by improving insulin secretion and β-cell function in streptozotocin-induced type 2 diabetic rats

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the anti-diabetic mechanism of Asparagus officinalis, a dietary agent used for the management of diabetes. Streptozotocin (90 mg/kg) was injected in 2-d-old Wistar rat pups to induce non-obese type 2 diabetes. After confirmation of diabetes on the 13th week, diabetic rats were treated with a methanolic extract of A. officinalis seeds (250 and 500 mg/kg per d) or glibenclamide for 28 d. After the treatment, fasting blood glucose, serum insulin and total antioxidant status were measured. The pancreas was examined by haematoxylin -eosin staining and immunostained b-and a-cells were observed using a fluorescence microscope. Treatment of the diabetic rats with the A. officinalis extract at doses of 250 and 500 mg/kg suppressed the elevated blood glucose in a dose-and time-dependent manner. The 500 mg/kg, but not 250 mg/kg, dose significantly improved serum insulin levels in the diabetic rats. The insulin:glucose ratio was significantly increased at both doses in the A. officinalis-treated rats. Both qualitative and quantitative improvements in b-cell function were found in the islets of the A. officinalis-treated rats. The extract showed potent antioxidant activity in an in vitro assay and also improved the total antioxidant status in vivo. In most cases, the efficacy of A. officinalis (500 mg/kg) was very similar to a standard anti-diabetic drug, glibenclamide. Thus, the present study suggests that A. officinalis extract exerts anti-diabetic effects by improving insulin secretion and b-cell function, as well as the antioxidant status.

Extraction and analysis of antioxidant compounds from the residues of Asparagus officinalis L.

“…Bioactive components, such as flavonoid, lignan and steroidal saponin were found in this plant (Fukushi et al 2010;Hafizur et al 2012). Pharmacological studies demonstrated its anti-inflammatory (Jang et al 2004), anti-mutagenic and antifungal activities (Tsao and Deng 2004).…”

Game of Tones: sugars, organic acids, and phenolics in green and purple asparagus (Asparagus officinalis L.) cultivars

“…A. officinalis L., also termed "the king of vegetables" for its rich composition, is widely consumed all over the world and fast becoming one of the trendiest vegetables. Bioactive components, such as flavonoids, lignans, and steroidal saponins, have been detected in asparagus spears (Fukushi et al, 2000;Hafizur et al, 2012). Moreover, pharmacological studies demonstrated its antiinflammatory (Jang et al, 2004), antimutagenic, and antifungal activities (Tsao and Deng, 2004).…”

Effects of Enzyme-Treated Asparagus Extract on Heat Shock Protein 70, Stress Indices, and Sleep in Healthy Adult Men

“…Asparagus is a typical agricultural product of Hokkaido, Japan, and has been used as a functional food for centuries in traditional medicine. Previous studies demonstrated that a methanolic extract of asparagus seeds regulates blood glucose levels in diabetic rats (13), and the young shoots and the leaves of asparagus alleviate liver cell toxicity induced by ethanol (14). We have developed a new functional material, enzyme-treated asparagus extract (ETAS), from unused stems of asparagus grown in Hokkaido, and observed that ETAS enhances the expressions of HSP70 mRNA and protein in HeLa cells, a human cervical adenocarcinoma cell line (15).…”