Pharmacological Effects of Ethanol Extract of Artemisia Herba Alba in Streptozotocin-induced Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus in Rats

Abstract

Background: Diabetes mellitus has been treated orally with herbal remedies based on folk medicine since ancient times. The current study investigates the protective effect of Artemisia herba alba (Ah) against experimentally-induced type 1 diabetes mellitus and its complications. Methods: Diabetes was induced in adult male Wister rats by administration of (Streptozotocin; STZ) at a dose of 52.5 mg/kg, i.p. Animals with diabetes were treated with either Ah ethanolic extract or gliclazide (10mg/kg, p.o.) for 14 days. Biochemical analysis was done such as glucose, insulin, homocysteine, lipid profile (cholesterol, triglyceride), liver function tests (T.bilirubin, AST and ALT), kidney function tests (BUN, sr. creatinine) and oxidative stress biomarkers. In addition, pancreas, liver, kidney, heart and aorta tissues were dissected out for pathological examination. Immuno histochemical study was done on pancreatic tissues for determination of insulin and glucagon immune reactivities. Liver tissues were also separated for genetic analysis. Results: Oral administration of Ah ethanolic extract at a concentration of 400, 200and 100 mg/kg daily for 14 days results in decreased fasting blood glucose and homocysteine levels as well as enhancement of plasma insulin level as compared with STZ-treated rats. The extract improved lipid profile, liver and kidney function tests. It also increased hepatic and renal contents of GSH, diminished lipid peroxidation, and inhibited pathological alterations induced in the different organs. Treatment with Ah extract increased insulin expression while decreased glucagon immunoreactivity and DNA band polymorphism. Conclusion: Thus, our results show that Ah possesses a promising antihyperglycemic effect that is comparable with gliclazide.

Therapeutic effects of aqueous, methanol and ethanol extracts of Egyptian Artemisia herba-alba in STZ-induced diabetic neuropathy in rats

“…Treatment with Ah extracts enhanced GSH, decreased lipid peroxidation and retained the activity of CAT and GST in sciatic nerve indicating that this herb may exert the antinociceptive effect, in part, via its antioxidant properties. In a previous work of us, 70% ethanol extract of Ah was reported to possess antioxidant properties through scavenging DPPH free radical in-vitro (Abdel Jaleel et al, 2016). This antioxidant effect was ascribed to presence of high phenolic compounds including flavonoids and polyphenols (Abdallah et al, 2015).…”

“…In a previous work of us, 70% ethanol extract of Ah was reported to possess antioxidant properties through scavenging DPPH free radical in-vitro (Abdel Jaleel et al, 2016). This antioxidant effect was ascribed to presence of high phenolic compounds including flavonoids and polyphenols (Abdallah et al, 2015). This challenged us to continue phytochemical and pharmacological investigation on other types of extracts for Ah; aqueous and 100% methanol extracts.…”

“…Groups 3,4 comprises rats that received STZ and oral administration of the Ah aqueous extract at 50 & 100mg/kg; respectively. Doses were selected based on previous studies (Abdallah et al, 2015). Groups 5,6 comprises rats that received STZ and oral administration of the Ah methanolic extract at 50 & 100mg/kg; respectively.…”

“…In our previous studies, Ah was shown to be effective as anti-inflammatory, antinociceptive, antipyretic and gastro-protective agent (Abdel Jaleel et al, 2016). In addition, it was concluded that the total alcoholic extract of Ah could be used as antidiabetic agent.…”

“…In addition, it was concluded that the total alcoholic extract of Ah could be used as antidiabetic agent. It was found to exhibit antihyperglycemic, antihyperlipidemic and protective against hepatic and renal toxicities in a rat model of induced type1 diabetes (Abdallah et al, 2015). The current work was conducted to extend the use of the Egyptian Ah as a potential treatment of diabetic complications.…”