Mechanisms of echinochrome potency in modulating diabetic complications in liver

BackgroundDiabetes mellitus is one of the most public metabolic disorders. It is mainly classified into type 1 and type 2. Echinochrome is a pigment from sea urchins that has antioxidant, anti-microbial, anti-inflammatory and chelating abilities.AimsThe present study aimed to investigate the anti-diabetic mechanisms of echinochrome pigment in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.Main methodsThirty six male Wistar albino rats were divided into two main groups, type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes groups. Each group was divided into 3 subgroups (6 rats/subgroup); control, diabetic and echinochrome groups. Diabetic model was induced by a single dose of streptozotocin (60 mg/kg, i.p) for type 1 diabetes and by a high fat diet for 4 weeks before the injection with streptozotocin (30 mg/kg, i.p) for type 2 diabetes. Diabetic groups were treated orally with echinochrome extract (1 mg/kg body weight in 10% DMSO) daily for 4 weeks.Key findingsEchinochrome groups showed a reduction in the concentrations of glucose, MDA and the activities of arginase, AST, ALT, ALP and GGT. While it caused general increase in the levels of insulin, TB, DB, IB, NO and the activities of G6PD, GST, GPx, SOD and GSH. The histopathological investigation showed partial restoration of pancreatic islet cells and clear improvement in the hepatic architecture.SignificanceThe suggested mechanism of Ech action in the reduction of diabetic complications in liver involved two pathways; through the hypoglycemic activity and the antioxidant role of Ech.