Hepatoprotective effect of Carica pubescens juice and rutin through improving the Adenosine Monophosphate-activated Protein Kinase (AMPK) pathway in type 2 diabetes Mellitus Wistar Rats

Abstract

Insulin resistance in type 2 diabetes mellitus (type 2 DM) results in disturbing glucose transport into the cells and increases glucose production in the liver and exacerbates hyperglycemia. It is also correlated with a decrease of adenosine monophosphateactivated protein kinase (AMPK) expression that has effects on insulin resistance aggravation, antioxidant capacity impairment, and glucose-lipid homeostasis disturbance indicates AMPK as a significant target for type 2 DM prevention and treatment. The flavonoid content of Carica pubescens (CP) fruit contains anti-hyperglycemic and antihyperlipidemic properties, however, there is no study about its effect on AMPK expression. This study aimed to investigate the effect of CP fruit juice and rutin on preventing liver damage in type 2 DM through the pathway of AMPK, superoxide dismutase (SOD), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), and triglyceride (TG). The experimental design was a post-test only control group. The immunohistochemical method was used to examine AMPK expression in 25 liver paraffin blocks from five groups of male Wistar rats: C1 = negative control; C2 = type 2 DM; C3 and C4 = type 2 DM given fruit juice at a dosage of 4 g CP/200 g BW/day and 8 g CP/200 g BW/day, respectively; and C5 = type 2 DM given rutin 10 mg/200 g BW/day, for 30 days treatment. AMPK expression in the liver significantly increased in the C3, C4, and C5 compared to the C2 group (p<0.05). There was no significant variation in AMPK expression among C3, C4, or C5, showing that C1 possesses the same capabilities as C4 and C5 groups. The increase in AMPK expression was followed by SOD and HDL levels and lower TG levels. However, a significant correlation was shown in the TG level only. This indicates CP fruit juice and rutin can act as a hepatoprotective to prevent liver damage through the AMPK pathway due to type 2 DM conditions.