Abstract
Plantago major L. (P. major L.) is a perennial plant belonging to the family Plantaginaceae. It has been used as a folk remedy for diabetes in Europe and Asia. However, the biologically active constituents responsible for the antidiabetic effects have not been reported. The objectives of this study aimed at determining the chemical components of Plantago major L. and evaluating the antidiabetic activity of the extracts using streptozotocin- (STZ-) induced diabetic mice. In this study, the Swiss mice were fed a high-fat diet to gain weight before STZ injections to induce diabetic conditions. The STZ-induced diabetic mice were orally treated with P. major L. extracts. The blood glucose test results from the treated diabetic mice and nontreated diabetic mice were compared. We found that a 15-day treatment with EP6 extract from P. major L. at a dose of 400 mg/kg could reduce the blood glucose level to the same level as a 15-day treatment with glucophage at a dose of 70 mg/kg. The major chemical components and structural characterization of EP6 extract were also reported. AST (aspartate transferase) and ALT (alanine aminotransferase) indicators of liver damage were measured in the treated and nontreated diabetic mice to give an overall view of the antidiabetic effect of P. major L. extracts.
Highlights
Diabetes mellitus, commonly known as diabetes, is a metabolic disorder causing high blood glucose and can lead to serious complications such as cardiovascular disease, stroke, chronic kidney disease, and nerve and vision damage [1].ere are two types of diabetes: type 1 diabetes results from the pancreas’s disability to make enough insulin due to the loss of beta cells
A few studies have shown that the extracts from P. major L. were effective in improving blood glucose in type 2 diabetic mice [7,8,9]. ese studies show that the antidiabetic activity test using STZ-induced diabetic Journal of Chemistry mice at a dose of 1000 mg alcoholic extract/kg rat body weight of P. major L. reduced the blood glucose to a comparable level of the control group at the 5th day until the 14th day of the study; oral administration of P. major L. extract at the doses of 600 mg aqueous extract/kg rat b.w. for alloxan monohydrate-induced diabetic rat significantly decreases the blood glucose level and 500 mg methanol extract/kg body weight promotes glucose uptake in mice with efficient insulin-secreting pancreas
Discussion e STZ administration to damage the pancreas in obese mice led to an increase in their blood sugar levels. e condition accompanied by high consumption of food and water indicates signs of diabetes in mice [18, 19]
Summary
Commonly known as diabetes, is a metabolic disorder causing high blood glucose and can lead to serious complications such as cardiovascular disease, stroke, chronic kidney disease, and nerve and vision damage [1].ere are two types of diabetes: type 1 diabetes results from the pancreas’s disability to make enough insulin due to the loss of beta cells. Type 2 diabetes is considered to be more manageable and reversible by treatments with insulin sensitizers of biguanides, such as metformin, phenformin, and buformin, or thiazolidinediones, such as rosiglitazone, pioglitazone, and troglitazone, or Lyn kinase activators, such as tolimidone. These drugs have been linked to increased risks of lactic acidosis and liver damage [2,3,4,5]. P. major L. is a perennial plant populated in Europe and Asia It has been used by the locals for the treatment of diabetes and other illnesses. A few studies have shown that the extracts from P. major L. were effective in improving blood glucose in type 2 diabetic mice [7,8,9]. ese studies show that the antidiabetic activity test using STZ-induced diabetic
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