Anti-hyperglycemic effect, inhibition of inflammatory cytokines expression, and histopathology profile in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats treated with Arracacia tolucensis aerial-parts extracts

• This is the first time that anti-hyperglycemic effect of Arracacia tolucensis is evaluated in an in vivo model.
• The ethyl acetate extract of Arracacia tolucensis showed anti-hyperglycemic effect, inhibited the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines and presented no toxic effects after 21 days of administration at 250 mg/kg.

Ethopharmacological relevanceArracacia tolucensis is a medicinal plant used in northeast of Mexico as a remedy to treat people with Diabetes mellitus (DM); however, there are no scientific studies that support this information. Thus, we evaluated the anti-hyperglycemic effect of the hexane, ethyl acetate and ethanol extracts from aerial parts in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.Materials and methodsDM was induced in Wistar male rats by single intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (STZ 50 mg/kg). After STZ-induction, hyperglycemic rats were treated with all three extracts orally at a single dose (250 mg/kg) each 48 h for 21 days. Glibenclamide (1 mg/kg) was used as a reference drug. The fasting blood glucose levels, the hematic biometry and biochemical profiles, and the inhibition of inflammatory cytokines expression were estimated. Histopathology analysis of pancreas, liver, spleen, and kidney tissue was carried out.ResultsOurs results showed that ethyl acetate extract decreased blood glucose levels significantly (75%, p< 0.05) when compared to diabetic rats and controlled the body weight loss; the lipids level did not change, but the enzyme levels of aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase decreased significantly (60.83% and 66.16%, respectively, p< 0.05) and inhibited the expression of inflammatory cytokines,with respect to diabetic rats. Histopathology injury was not observed; by contrast repair of islet of Langerhans was exhibited.ConclusionThese results validate the use of Arracacia tolucensis as a treatment against DM and suggests it is suitable to continue studies for its safe therapeutic use.

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