Antihyperglycemic effect of esculetin modulated carbohydrate metabolic enzymes activities in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) being a worldwide challenge to public health. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of esculetin, a major compound present in the herbal plant of Matricaria chamomilla L., on the key enzymes of carbohydrate metabolism in streptozotocin (STZ) induced diabetic rats. At first, the rats were induced intraperitonial injection of STZ (40 mg/kg bw) to attain diabetes and were then treated with different concentrations of esculetin (10, 20 and 40 mg/kg bw) for 45 days. The diabetic rats had elevated levels of plasma glucose and glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) and decreased plasma insulin and haemoglobin (Hb) levels. Food intake, water intake and oral glucose tolerance test were also measured. Activities of carbohydrate metabolic enzymes such as glucose-6-phosphatase, fructose 1,6-bisphosphatase increased and glucokinase, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase decreased significantly. Oral administration of esculetin significantly decreased the levels of plasma glucose, HbA1c and increased the levels of Hb and insulin. The activities of the key enzymes such as glucokinase and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase had significantly increased whereas, glucose-6-phosphatase and fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase had significantly decreased. Further, protection against body weight loss of diabetic rats was observed. Among the three doses, 40 mg/kg bw of esculetin exerted a more pronounced antihyperglycemic effect against STZ-induced diabetic rats.

► Diabetes is a modern day epidemic recognized as an issue of global public health.
► Coumarins are health benefits derived from consuming fruits and vegetables.
► Esculetin is a coumarin derivative found in Matricariaria chamomilla L., plant.
► This plant used as an herbal tea or supplementary food all over the world.
► Esculetin at 40 mg/kg bw possess antihyperglycemic activity in STZ rats.