Modulation of Inflammatory Cytokines and Islet Morphology as Therapeutic Mechanisms of Basella alba in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rats

Abstract

The mechanism of the previously reported antidiabetic effect of Basella alba is unknown. This study investigated the role of B. alba aqueous leaf extract in the modulation of inflammatory cytokines and islet morphology in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Forty male Wistar rats, between 8 and 10 weeks old, were randomly divided into four groups (n = 10) and administered the following treatments: Healthy control (H-c) and Diabetic control (D-c) animals received normal saline 0.5 mL/100 g body weight daily, while Healthy Treatment (H-Ba) and Diabetic Treatment (D-Ba) rats received the plant extract 200 mg/kg body weight daily. All treatments were administered by oral gavage. Diabetes was induced in D-c and D-Ba rats by a single intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (55 mg/kg body). The body weight and fasting blood sugar (FBS) levels were recorded every week for 4 weeks, after which the rats were euthanized and samples collected for further analysis. After the experiment, FBS level was significantly reduced (p < 0.0001) in rats in the D-Ba group, but increased (p < 0.001) in rats in the D-c group. The absolute (H-c and H-Ba vs D-c, p < 0.05) and relative (D-Ba vs H-c, p < 0.05; D-Ba vs H-Ba, p < 0.005) weights of the pancreases were significantly higher after the experiment. The rats in the D-c group had significantly higher levels of serum interleukin-1β (p < 0.001 vs H-c; p < 0.05 vs H-Ba and D-Ba) and monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (p < 0.0001), but lower levels of interleukin-10 (p < 0.05) in comparison with the other groups. Histopathological examination revealed severe interstitial congestion, reduced islet area (p < 0.0001), and increased islet cell density in the D-c group compared with those in the D-Ba group. From these findings, it was concluded that the aqueous extract of B. alba stimulates the recovery of beta-islet morphology in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats by modulating the peripheral production of inflammatory cytokines.

Neem seed oil improves redox imbalance and exhibits antihyperglycemic, antilipidemic, and anti-inflammatory properties in a rodent model of type 2 diabetes

“…The attenuation of pro-inflammatory signaling by NSO in diabetic animals is in line with previous conclusions on antidiabetic ethnobotanicals (Shi et al, 2011;Wen et al, 2019). Sometimes, there is an interplay between oxidative stress and inflammation in the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes, and hyperglycemia could stimulate the peripheral production of inflammatory cytokines via oxidative stress mechanisms (Arokoyo et al, 2018;Esposito et al, 2002;Ling et al, 2005). In line with previous studies (Kotb El-Sayed et al, 2020;Miaffo et al, 2021), oxidative stress and redox imbalance were evident in the HFD/STZ-induced diabetic animals.…”

“…The result points to mechanisms revolving around boosting the antioxidant defense in the pancreas to prevent deleterious oxidative damage to insulin and glucose-sensitive cells (Gupta et al, 2012). The protective effects on the pancreas are supported by findings from hematoxycillin staining establishing diabetic-induced infiltration by inflammatory cells and marked necrosis of the pancreatic tissues of untreated diabetic animals, whereas treatment with NSO at both 200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg significantly attenuated these damaging events (Arokoyo et al, 2018;Nurdiana et al, 2017).…”

Traditional drink of blackcincau(Mesona palustrisBL)-basedwedang uwuhas immunomodulator on alloxan-induced diabetic rats

“…Bioactives found in leaf extracts such as flavonoids, tannins, saponins and mucilage have strong antioxidant abilities, which have the ability to suppress the production of inflammatory cytokines. This is because oxygen free radicals are known to play a significant role in initiation and developing of a systemic and local inflammatory response, through activation of nuclear factors that stimulate cytokines release (Arokoyo et al, 2018). Flavonoids can remove regulatory enzymes or transcription factors that are important for controlling mediators involved in inflammation.…”

Rosinidin Flavonoid Ameliorates Hyperglycemia, Lipid Pathways and Proinflammatory Cytokines in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rats

“…STZ’s diabetogenic action was discovered by Rakieten et al (1963) [ 10 ]. It is especially cytotoxic to pancreatic beta-cells.…”