Abstract
The edible seaweed Sargassum polycystum (SP) is traditionally used against several human diseases. This investigation evaluated the effects of two dietary doses of SP ethanolic and aqueous extracts on the pancreatic, hepatic, and renal morphology of type 2 diabetic rats (T2DM). T2DM was induced by feeding rats on high calorie diet followed by a low dose streptozotocin. Changes in the diabetic rat organs in SP treated groups with different doses of extracts were compared with normal rats, diabetic control rats, and metformin treated rats. After 22 days of treatment, the pathological lesions of the livers and kidneys in the diabetic rats were quantitatively and qualitatively alleviated (P < 0.05) by both the SP extracts at 150 mg/kg body weight and by metformin. All the treated diabetic groups revealed marked improvement in the histopathology of the pancreas compared with the control diabetic group. Oral administration of 300 mg/kg body weight of aqueous and ethanolic extracts of SP and metformin revealed pancreas protective or restorative effects. The seaweed extracts at 150 mg/kg body weight reduced the liver and kidney damages in the diabetic rats and may exert tissue repair or restoration of the pancreatic islets in experimentally induced diabetes to produce the beneficial homeostatic effects.
Highlights
Diabetes mellitus is an endocrine disorder characterized by defects in carbohydrate, lipid, and protein metabolism
The majority of diabetes is of Type 2 (T2DM) or non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM), which is the result of deviations in pancreatic β-cells functions, insulin secretions, and insulin insensitivity [2]
Hyperglycemia increases the production of free radicals [3], and induces oxidative stress leading to liver injuries related to carbohydrate metabolism disorder [4, 5]
Summary
Diabetes mellitus is an endocrine disorder characterized by defects in carbohydrate, lipid, and protein metabolism It is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, due to diabetic complications such as coronary heart disease, stroke, retinopathy, nephropathy, liver disease, and peripheral neuropathy [1]. Hyperglycemia increases the production of free radicals [3], and induces oxidative stress leading to liver injuries related to carbohydrate metabolism disorder [4, 5]. This study reports on the protective or tissue restorative effects of SP ethanolic and water extracts on the pancreas, liver, and kidney tissues in type 2-induced diabetic rat model
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