Ferula assa‐foetida oleo gum resin ethanolic extract alleviated the pancreatic changes and antioxidant status in streptozotocin‐induced diabetic rats: A biochemical, histopathological, and ultrastructural study

Abstract

The current research examines the effects of administration of 150 and 250 mg/kg body weight/day of ethanolic Ferula assa‐foetida L. oleo gum resin extract (FAE) for 42 days in streptozotocin‐induced diabetes in rats. On day 42, all rats were euthanized; HOMA‐β, HOMA‐IR, and QUICKI levels in pancreas were examined histopathologically and ultrastructurally . Low‐dose FAE (150 mg/kg) treatment resulted in significant improvement in serum glucose, insulin and superoxide dismutase, glutathione, and catalase levels (p < .05). It also improved β‐cell function, restored pancreatic β‐cells, and reduced insulin resistance compared to the diabetic control rats. Necrotic and degenerative alterations in the islets, pyknotic β‐cell nuclei, β‐cell degranulation, reduced islet cellular density, and significant vacuolation were found in the islets of STZ‐diabetic control group ratsby the histomorphological and ultrastructural examination. The pancreatic histomorphology of low dose of FAE‐treated diabetic rats showed remarkable improvements in the islets, such as the β‐cell number and the area of the pancreatic islets. Practical applications The experiment revealed that Ferula assa‐foetida L. may exert antihyperglycemic activity in STZ diabetes via β‐cell regeneration and its high antioxidant capacity. This work elucidates the role of Ferula assa‐foetida L. in diabetes management. Ferula assa‐foetida L. gum extract improved the morphological changes of the diabetic pancreas and stimulated the regeneration of the β cells. The findings demonstrated positive results for the long‐term cure of diabetes. Additionally, this study showed the potential of isolating nutraceuticals for the development of medications.

The effect of Iranian snake, Naja naja oxiana venom on the blood glucose concentration and some biochemical parameters of experimental diabetic rats

“…Cobra Venom Factor (CVF) is an acidic glycoprotein that can reduce complement C3 and thus inhibit immune responses and inflammation [ 49 , 50 ]. Therefore, it may be hypothesized that the effects of the venom are mediated by protecting pancreatic β-cells from the damaging effects of oxidative stress, allowing for the preservation of regenerated β-cells in the islets, as suggested for other agents with antioxidant activity [ 32 , 33 , 51 ].…”

Antidiabetic activity of Solanum torvum fruit extract in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

“…High-performance liquid chromatography revealed the presence of quercetin (flavonoid) in S. torvum fruit extract. It has been shown that quercetin possesses antidiabetic activity in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats through regeneration of pancreatic islets which increases insulin secretion ( 27 ). This histological evidence may also account for the hypoglycemic activity of the S. torvum fruit extract.…”