Effects of Scutellaria barbata extracts on serum glycolipid hormones and pancreatic-tissue structure in type 2 diabetic rats

Abstract

The study describes the effect of Chinese herbal medicine extracts from Scutellaria barbata on serum glycolipid hormones and pancreatic-tissue structure in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) rats. Healthy Wistar rats (n = 150) were divided randomly into two groups: healthy (30) and model (120). The healthy group was fed normally for 30d and injected citrate buffer on day 31. The model group was fed high-fat and high-sugar feed for 30d and injected STZ on day 31. On day 38 the model group was divided randomly into four groups: model group, low-, medium-, and high-dose S. barbata (n = 30 in each). 5, 10, 20, and 30dafter treatment, serum levels of FGB, INS, CORT, TG, TC, HDL-C, and LDL-C in all groups were measured and pancreatic-tissue sections were stained with hematoxylin–eosin and aldehyde fuchsine to observe the tissue structure. The results showed significantly decreased levels of FGB, INS, CORT, and LDL-C (P less than 0.01) and increased level of HDL-C (P greator than 0.05).In addition, the damaged structure of diabetic pancreatic tissue has been partially restored in the low-dose S. barbata group. These results show that low-dose S. barbata extract treatment is effective in treating T2DM.