Antidiabetic effect of the scorpion Scorpio maurus palmatus body extract using alloxan-induced diabetic mice model

Abstract

The antidiabetic effect and mode of action of Socrpio maurus palmatus body extract were evaluated in diabetic mice induced by alloxan. 24 male albino mice were divided into four groups. Group 1 was injected intraperitoneally with physiological saline. Group 2 was injected (i.p., daily for 5 weeks) with 300 mg/kg of the scorpion aqueous extract. Group 3 was received alloxan (150 mg/kg, i.p). Group 4 was diabetic and treated with scorpion extract (300 mg/kg, i.p., daily for 5 weeks). Several relevant biochemical parameters and histological examination of Langerhans islets were evaluated. The administration of scorpion extract significantly elevated the level of plasma insulin which was concomitant with a remarkable decrease in the level of blood glucose in diabetic mice. Furthermore, scorpion extract showed a notable ameliorative effect through enhancing the status of antioxidants and recovering the altered biochemical parameters in diabetic mice. Interestingly, scorpion extract significantly increased the number of β-cells and the size of pancreatic islets in diabetic mice. Accordingly, the obtained results demonstrate the antidiabetic effect of scorpion extract in alloxan-induced diabetic mice through its antioxidant and regeneration capacity.

Keywords

• antioxidants
• diabetes mellitus
• oxidative stress
• histopathology
• pancreas
• scorpion extract