Antidiabetic effect of the mixture of Cissus polyantha and Rytigynia senegalensis in high-fat diet and streptozocin-induced diabetic rats

Abstract

Background: In traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) practices, many plants of the Cissus and Rytigynia genera are used to treat many diseases including diabetes mellitus.The aim of this study was to evaluate the modulating effects of the mixture of the aqueous extracts of Cissus polyantha and Rytiginia senegalensis (CPRS) on some enzymes of carbohydrate metabolism, oxidative profile, and cardiovascular parameters in diabetic rats. Methods: Diabetes was induced by a diet enriched in high-fat for 30 days associated with a single intraperitoneal injection of streptozocin (35 mg/kg). Rats with a blood glucose level greater than or equal to 200 mg/dL were selected and divided into groups. Groups 1 and 2 received distilled water. Group 3 received metformin (40 mg/kg). Groups 4 and 5 received CPRS at doses of 50 and 111 mg/kg, respectively. Glycaemia, body mass, food and water intake, insulinemia, insulin resistance and insulin secretion indices, lipid profile and cardiovascular risk indices, oxidant profile, glycogen and liver enzymes were evaluated. Histology of the pancreas and heart was performed. Results: CPRS (50 and/or 111 mg/kg) significantly (p < 0.05 to p < 0.001) reduced water and food consumption, blood glucose, HOMA-IR, coronary risk index, cholesterol, triglyceride, LDL-c, VLDL-c, and malondialdehyde levels, as well as glucose-6-phosphatase and fructose-1,6-biphosphatase activities in diabetic animals. In contrast, CPRS (50 and/or 111 mg/kg) caused an increase (p < 0.05 to p < 0.001) in body mass, insulinemia and HDL-c levels, reduced glutathione and hepatic glycogen. HOMA-β, insulin distribution, atherogenic and cardioprotective indices as well as superoxide dismutase, catalase, glucokinase, and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase activities were also increased after CPRS administration. CPRS regenerated pancreatic islet β cells and decreased leukocyte infiltration in cardiomyocytes of diseased animals. Conclusion: CPRS has hypoglycemic, antidyslipidemic, and antioxidant effects, thus validating its use in traditional medicine in the treatment of diabetes mellitus and its complications.

Keywords

• Diabetes type 2
• Cissus polyantha
• Rytigynia senegalensis
• Oxidative stress
• In vivo
• Histology