Argyreia nervosa Mitigates Insulin Resistance in Liver via IR/IRS-1 Mediated Signaling in Streptozotocin-Induced Type-2 Diabetic Rats

Abstract

Argyreia nervosa, commonly known as Hawaiian baby woodrose or wooly morning glory, is a plant native to India and is also found in various parts of the world. It is known for its seeds, which have been used traditionally in Ayurvedic and traditional medicine systems for various diseases. The study was aimed at assessing the effect of Argyreia nervosa on insulin signaling molecules of the liver in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced experimental type-2 diabetic rats. Healthy adult male Wistar albino rats -150-180 days old weighing 180-200g was used for the study and divided as Group I - Normal rats; Group II – type-2 diabetic rats; Group III -Diabetic rats + A. nervosa 500 mg/kg b.wt; Group IV-Normal rats + A. nervosa 500 mg/kg b.wt. Fasting blood glucose, and fasting serum insulin were measured by calorimetric methods. Further mRNA expression analysis of insulin receptor (IR) was measured in control and treated animals by quantitative Ream Time PCR analysis. A. nervosa root extract significantly reduced fasting blood glucose and serum insulin concentrations in STZ-induced rats compared with control. In addition, mRNA expression of IR showed a one-fold increase in the expression which shows that A. nervosa is involved in the regulation of insulin signaling in the liver and thereby reduces insulin resistance and type-2 diabetes. Our study concludes that A. nervosa root extract has a significant role on insulin signaling molecules thereby it reduces hyperglycemia and hyperinsulinemia via insulin receptor-mediated pathways. Hence, A. nervosa may be considered as one of the therapeutic natural antidiabetic drugs.