Influence of Sterculia setigera Delile extract on oxidative stress enzyme activity and treatment of impaired glucose homeostasis in Streptozotocin-induced diabetic Wistar rats

Abstract

BackgroundSterculia setigera Delile is a plant member of Sterculiacea family whose ethnobotanical investigation has revealed medicinal virtues. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has several advantages as it includes a wide variety of plants, low cost, minimal toxic and side effects. More significantly, many bioactive compounds such as flavonoids, tannins and saponins are active constituents of traditional Chinese medicinal plants, which generally have no adverse effects. This study aimed to evaluate the influence of S. setigera Delile extract in impairing hyperglycemia and oxidative stress induced by streptozotocin in Wistar rats. MethodsThe intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (65 mg/kg) generated hyperglycemia in male Wistar rats. Diabetic animals were treated for 4 weeks with S. setigera extract. Insulin concentration and lipid profile biomarkers were evaluated. Oxidative stress biomarkers were assessed in pancreas and kidney. Histological sections of pancreas and kidney were made. ResultsAfter 4 weeks of treatment, the extract could decrease blood glucose levels by CI% (-92.3 to -39.94) compared to the diabetic control. Serum insulin, triglycerides and total cholesterol were improved towards their normal values. Pancreatic and renal cell architecture, were also improved in animals treated with the extract. ConclusionS. setigera extract could thus reverse hyperglycemia, dyslipidemia and oxidative stress in streptozotocin diabetic rats.