Comparative Assessment of Portulaca oleracea, Omega-3 Fatty Acids, and Combination of Selenium Plus Vitamin E on Histopathology of Pancreas in Diabetic Rats

Abstract

Introduction: Antidiabetic effects of Portulaca oleracea (PO) plant, omega-3 and a combination of Selenium and Vitamin E have been reported which could compensate for defective insulin release and enhance antioxidant levels. The purpose of the present study was to compare the serum glucose levels and histopathological effects on PO, Omega-3, and a combination of Selenium and Vitamin E in the pancreas of adult male diabetic rats.
 Materials and methods: A total of 96 adult male Wistar rats, weighing approximately 220 g were used. The rats were divided into four groups with 4 replicates for each group accidentally. The rats were diabetic via a single injection of streptozotocin solution (60 mg/kg, IP injection). The groups contained the control group of diabetic rats, which received the standard ration daily, the second group of diabetic rats was fed the standard ration plus Portulaca oleracea extract (1.5 mg/kg/day/orally), the third group of diabetic rats was fed standard ration plus omega 3 (500 mg/kg/day/orally), the fourth group of diabetic rats was fed standard ration plus Vitamin E (400 iu/kg/day/orally) and Selenium (0.5 mg/kg/day/orally) for a period of 14 days. At the end of the study, the samples were taken for histopathological investigation of the pancreas and serum glucose levels. The mean diameter of pancreatic islets and percentage of beta and alpha cells were calculated in all groups.
 Results: The percentage of alpha cells in the treatment groups was higher than in the control group. The percentage of beta cells in the third group was higher than in the fourth group and control group. The mean diameter of pancreatic islets in omega-3-treated rats was higher than in other groups. The insulin level increased in treated rats in comparison with the rats that were not treated significantly.
 Conclusion: Diabetic male rats treated with omega-3 showed more positive effects on pancreatic islets and blood glucose compared to other treatment groups.