Abstract
Purpose: To investigate the inhibitory effect of rhubarb on α-glucosidase activity in the small intestine of rats with type 1 diabetes.Methods: Type 1 diabetic rat model was established by intraperitoneally injecting 30 male SD rats with 1 % streptozocin (STZ). Rats with fasting blood glucose > 11 mmol/L (24) were used for the study. The rats were randomly divided into three equal groups including control, acarbose and rhubarb groups. Arcabose® (20 mg/kg /day) and rhubarb (100 mg/kg /day) were given by intra-gastric route via insertion of the cannula through the esophagus. Daily fasting blood glucose and daily postprandial glucose levels were assayed for all groups. On day 6, postprandial blood glucose, blood levels of C-peptide and insulin, and intestinal α-glucosidase were also determined.Results: There were no significant differences in levels of C-peptide, insulin and fasting blood glucose between control, Acarbose® and rhubarb groups (p > 0.05). However, α-glucosidase activity at 0, 30, 60 and 120 min in the rhubarb group was 1759.2, 1812.8, 1379.8 and 772.1 U, respectively,) while in the Acarbose® group it was 178.6, 1260.1, 1126.5, 599.2 U, respectively. α-Glucosidase activity in both groups initially showed an increase (p < 0.05), followed by a decline from 60 to 120 min (p ˂ 0.05). After 120 min, α-glucosidase activity in each of the two groups was significantly decreased compared with untreated control (1200 U) (p ˂ 0.05).Conclusion: The inhibitory effect of rhubarb on intestinal α-glucosidase activity of Type 1 diabetic rats is comparable to that of Arcabose®.This suggests that this plant may have clinically potent anti-diabetic properties.Keywords: Type 1 diabetes, α-Glucosidase activity, Acarbose®, Rhubarb, Postprandial glucose level
Highlights
As a serious and chronic metabolic disorder, diabetes mellitus can be reflected by the increased levels of hemoglobin, fasting blood glucose and postprandial blood glucose [1]
There were no significant differences in fasting blood glucose, C-peptide and insulin between groups (p > 0.05) (Figure 1, Figure 2 and Figure 3)
No significant difference was found in postprandial glucose levels between the groups at 120 min after feeding from days 1 to 7 (p > 0.05, Figure 3B)
Summary
As a serious and chronic metabolic disorder, diabetes mellitus can be reflected by the increased levels of hemoglobin, fasting blood glucose and postprandial blood glucose [1]. This study was carried out to investigate the effects of rhubarb on intestinal α-glucosidase and other indices (postprandial blood glucose, Cpeptide protein, insulin and fasting blood glucose) in an SD rat model of type 1 diabetes. Rats in the rhubarb group received 100 mg rhubab/kg body weight/day, via the intra-gastric route through insertion of the cannula via the esophagus, the dose were determined according the previous studies [12,13]. In both groups, the dose selection was based on estimated intake for a 60 kg reference man. On the 7th day, fasting and postprandial (30 min, 60 min and 120 min) blood glucose, as well as C peptide insulin and intestinal α-glucosidase activities were determined.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
