The influence of goutweed (Aegopodium podagraria L.) tincture and metformin on the histopathological changes of the internal organs in dyslipidemic rats

Abstract

Topicality. Combined use of herbal originated substances with the conventional drugs is a promising area of therapy improvement. The tincture and the extract obtained from goutweed (Aegopodium podagraria L.) are able to normalizecarbohydrate and lipid metabolism, the tincture partially increases the efficacy of metformin in the experiment. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of goutweed tincture and the extract as well as their combinationswith metformin on the histological structure of the internal organs of rats with lipid metabolism disorders.Materials and methods. Combined use of atherogenic diet and protamine sulfate administration was applied.Results and discussion. In the untreated group the histological examination allowed identifying the changes in kidneys (granular dystrophy of tubular epithelium, focal perivascular lymphocytic infiltration, focal sclerosis of the arterial walls); heart (granular dystrophy of cardiomyocytes, perivascular sclerotic with limited lymphohistiocytic infiltration and foci of ischemic changes in myocardium); liver (expressed granular dystrophy of hepatocytes, widening of space of Disse, signs of compensatory hypertrophy); while there were no changes in aorta. Metformin (50 mg/kg intragastrically) failed to demonstrate a normalizing influence on the liver structure, and necrobiosis and vacuolar dystrophy of hepatocytes were evident, it did not influence significantly of the kidney structure, and exerted a protective effect on the structure of the blood vessels of the heart, still not eliminating ischemic changes. Goutweed extract (1 g/kg intragastrically) and the tincture (1 ml/kg intragastrically) counteracted the changes in the structure of the kidney vessels and myocardium, including ischemic changes, while the liver histopathological changes were similar to those in metformin group. After combined administration of goutweed tincture and metformin as well as the extract and metformin at doses stated above the protective activity in regard to the heart structure was maintained, against the background of metformin with the tincture such activity in regard to the kidney structure was also evident; the toxicity of the investigated drugs was not enhanced, and there was no increase in the severity of the liver changes.Conclusions. Further ivestigation of goutweed preparations with metformin is expedient.