Ameliorative effect of Arabic gum Acacia and mori extracts in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats: implications of Cas-3 and TGF-β

OBJECTIVE: Arabic gum Acacia (AG) is rich in fiber which improves lipid metabolism besides its antioxidant effect. Folium mori (FM) is a widely used herb due to its immunomodulatory, antimicrobial, and antioxidant activity. In the current study, we explore the antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, as well as antioxidant activities of AG and FM in Streptozotocin (STZ), induced diabetic rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: STZ diabetic rats were orally administrated with metformin and/or a combination of AG and FM for 4 weeks. Glycemic levels, Serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST), cholesterol, triglycerides, urea, and creatinine were determined. Malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and Superoxide dismutase (SOD) were also evaluated. Gene expression and profile as well as immunohistopathological were also evaluated. RESULTS: The results elicited no toxicological profile of both AG and FM. Plasma glucose level was decreased starting from 1^st week to 4^th week; besides, there was an improvement in glycated hemoglobin, insulin, and fructosamine. Liver and kidney damage markers were decreased in both AG and FM-treated rats. A significant increase in the antioxidant defense system and a decrease in oxidative stress markers were also observed. Gene expression analysis in brain tissues revealed a significant decrease in Interleukin beta 1 (IL-β1), Caspase 3 (Cas-3), and Transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β). CONCLUSIONS: Oral treatment of metformin with AG and FM in STZ-injected rats could ameliorate protective pathways and can be one of the promising oral anti-diabetic herbal agents.