Picrorhiza kurroa Enhances β-Cell Mass Proliferation and Insulin Secretion in Streptozotocin Evoked β-Cell Damage in Rats

Abstract

Autoimmune destruction of insulin producing pancreatic β-cells leads to insulin insufficiency and hyperglycemia in type 1 diabetes mellitus. Regeneration of β-cells is one of the proposed treatment for type 1 diabetes and insulin insufficiency. Picrorhiza kurroa is a medicinal herb and is traditionally being used for the treatment of various diseases. Previous studies reported the hypoglycemic potential of P. kurroa. However, its potential role in β-cell induction in insulin secretion have not been fully investigated. Here, we characterized the hydro alcoholic extract of P. kurroa rhizome (PKRE) and further studied its β-cell regeneration and induction of insulin secretion potential in streptozotocin (STZ) induced diabetic rats as well as in insulin producing Rin5f cells. 1H-NMR revealed the presence of more than thirty metabolites including picroside I and II in PKRE. Further, we found that PKRE treatment (100 and 200 mg/kg dose for 30 days) significantly (p ≤ 0.05) protected the pancreatic β-cells against streptozotocin (STZ) evoked damage and inhibited the glucagon receptor expression (Gcgr) in hepatic and renal tissues. It significantly (p ≤ 0.05) enhanced the insulin expression and aids in proliferation of insulin producing Rin5f cells with elevated insulin secretion. Furthermore it significantly (p ≤ 0.05) increased insulin mediated glucose uptake in 3T3L1 and L6 cells. On the contrary, in diabetic rats, PKRE significantly (p ≤ 0.05) decreased high blood glucose and restored the normal levels of serum biochemicals. Altogether, our results showed that PKRE displayed β-cell regeneration with enhanced insulin production and antihyperglycemic effects. PKRE also improves hepatic and renal functions against oxidative damage.

Chemical Constituents and Biological Activities of Genus Picrorhiza: An Update

“…Aqueous ethanol extract of P. kurroa rhizomes demonstrated antibiabetic activity. Treatment with P. kurroa rhizomes extract (100 and 200 mg/kg) for 30 d significantly decreased high blood glucose and restored the normal levels of serum biochemistry [90] .…”

“…16. 6-Hydroxy-1a-(hydroxymethyl)-1a,1b,2,5a,6,6a-hexahydrooxireno [4,5] cyclopenta [1,2- , reported from the different parts of a plant like rhizomes, leaves and stems using different solvents like methanol, ethanol, n-butanol, chloroform, water, and methanol:water (1:1) [75,[83][84][85][86][87][88][89][90][91][92][93] while in P. scrophulariiflora there are 12 glycosides (27-35),…”

Anti-Diabetic Effects of Acankoreagenin from the Leaves of Acanthopanax Gracilistylus Herb in RIN-m5F Cells via Suppression of NF-κB Activation

“…Then first-strand complementary DNA (cDNA) was generated by a random hexamer primer with a cDNA synthesis kit (Thermo Scientific, Hudson, NH, USA). The primer pairs were synthesized according to the method described previously [ 4 , 10 ]. The primers were purchased from Bioneer (Daejeon, Republic of Korea) and β-actin was used as an internal control.…”

“…Insulin-secreting β-cells failure is a common feature of diabetes, which leads to relative or absolute insulin deficiency. The inflammatory mediators have been concerned as having a crucial role in the prolonged suppression of β-cells apoptosis, β-cells function, and progressive β-cells loss [ 4 ]. Evidence is growing that interleukin (IL)-1β, tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), and interferon γ (IFN-γ) are candidate cytokines that participate in promoting β-cells death with some combined effects [ 5 , 6 ].…”

Effects of Coriandrum sativum L. in Association with Physical Exercise in Alloxan-Induced Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus in Rats

“…In turn, medicinal plants with hypoglycemic activities and low adverse effects are gaining importance. Ethno-medical studies revealed that extracts and isolated molecules derived from medicinal plants can be used to treat T1DM [5].…”