Mixture of leaf and flower extract of Prunus spinosa L. alleviates hyperglycemia and oxidative stress in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

Abstract

Diabetes Mellitus is a global health problem that leads to various complications associated with hyperglycemia. In traditional medicine, herbal treatment is one of the alternative ways to cope with this type of disease. The aim of this study is to investigate the antidiabetic and hepato-pancreatic protective effects of the mixture of Prunus spinosa leaves and flowers (PSE) extract in streptozocin-induced diabetes mellitus. Seven random experimental groups of Wistar rats (n = 8) were created as followed; control, diabetic, PSE25, PSE50, insulin, metformin, and acarbose. α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibitory activities of PSE were determined. Antioxidant enzymes activities and lipid peroxidation were analyzed in the liver tissue. Histopathological examination of liver and pancreas was also performed. α-amylase and α-glucosidase IC50 inhibition values of PSE were found more efficient, comparing to those of standard acarbose. While blood glucose levels severely increased in all diabetic groups, PSE25 and PSE50 treatments were effective in regulating blood glucose levels. Moreover, administration of PSE25 and PSE50 improved insulin levels compared to the diabetic group. Although increased oxidative stress in the diabetes seriously suppressed antioxidant activities, PSE25 and PSE50 supplementation significantly recuperated liver antioxidant capacity. Despite severe degenerative and necrotic changes in diabetes, these findings alleviated with PSE administrations. Moreover, PSE treatments remarkably recuperated β-cells. These results reveal that there may be an alternative way to control high blood glucose levels, which is one of the most important complications of diabetes. Furthermore, PSE can provide a protection against oxidative stress, liver and pancreatic damage by augmenting antioxidant capacity in diabetes.