Synergistic Effect of β-Carotene and Metformin on Antihyperglycemic and Antidyslipidemic Activities in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rats

Abstract

Purpose: Worldwide prevalence of diabetes mellitus (DM) has become an issue of great concern in current decades. To date, a large number of biological properties have been reported from carotenoids, particularly protective effects against cancer, cardiovascular diseases, and DM, including enhancement of insulin sensitivity.In this study, we aimed to evaluate the efficacy of β-carotene as an additive agent with metformin in ameliorating Type2 (T2)DM.
 Methods: In this experiment, fasting blood glucose level (BGL), low density lipoprotein (LDL), high density lipoprotein (HDL), total cholesterol (TC) and triglycerides (TG) were measured in serum of Wister albino rats with streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetes and after treatment with metformin (850mg/70kg b.w.) and β-carotene (10 mg/70kg b.w.) administered orally once daily for three weeks.
 Results: Metformin and β-carotene treatments individually resulted in significant (p<0.001) reversal of the diabetes induced increase in BGL, LDL, TC and TG, whereas significantly increased the STZ-induced decrease in HDL, compared to diabetic control. As compared to the monotherapy, the combination therapy with metformin and β-carotene showed a significant (p<0.001) attenuation of BGL and serum level of LDL, TC, and TG and a slight increase (p<0.05) in serum HDL level, as compared to the treatment with β-carotene, but not with metformin.
 Conclusion: The combination therapy of β-carotene and metformin produced a significant antidiabetic and antihyperlipidemic effect than the monotherapy alone and provides a scientific rationale for their use in antidiabetic therapy as a potential antioxidant.

Antidiabetic and Antihyperlipidemic Activity of β-carotene on Streptozotocin-induced Diabetic Rats

“…To avoid the complication of metformin researcher hunt natural or herbal product or those substance which has ability to have antihyperglycemic and antihyperlipidemic activity. In this sense, the therapies based on an antioxidant β-carotene had the ability to improve the efficacy of glycemic control promoted by metformin to avoid the transition of insulin therapy is of great interest [30]. Also, it was found that the mono therapy of antioxidant; like as N-acetylcysteine, vitamin C, and α-lipoic acid had capability to reduced diabetes complications [31].…”

Study on the Drying Technology of Tomato Pulp with Phytoene, Phytofluene and Lycopene Retention as Inspection Indexes

“…Carotenoids are major food bioactive compounds in our diets, with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and gut health functions [ 1 ]. The roles of carotenoids such as lycopene (LYC), astaxanthin and β-carotene in preventing chronic diseases and inhibiting cancer have been widely accepted [ 2 , 3 , 4 ]. Meanwhile, phytoene (PT) and phytofluene (PTF), known as the precursors in carotenoid synthesis ( Figure A1 ), and commonly called polyhydrogen lycopene, have attracted more and more attention [ 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 ].…”