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Exploring of the ameliorative effects of Nerium (Nerium oleander L.) ethanolic flower extract in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats via biochemical, histological and molecular aspects

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Abstract

Background

Nerium oleander L. is ethnopharmacologically used for diabetes. Our aim was to investigate the ameliorative effects of ethanolic Nerium flower extract (NFE) in STZ-induced diabetic rats.

Methods

Seven random groups including control group, NFE group (50 mg/kg), diabetic group, glibenclamide group and NFE treated groups (25 mg/kg, 75 mg/kg, and 225 mg/kg) were composed of forty-nine rats. Blood glucose level, glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), insulin level, liver damage parameters and lipid profile parameters were investigated. Antioxidant defense system enzyme activities and reduced glutathione (GSH) and malondialdehyde (MDA) contents and immunotoxic and neurotoxic parameters were determined in liver tissue. Additionally, the ameliorative effects of NFE were histopathologically examined in liver. mRNA levels of SLC2A2 gene encoding glucose transporter 2 protein were measured by quantitative real time PCR.

Results

NFE caused decrease in glucose level and HbA1c and increase in insulin and C-peptide levels. Additionally, NFE improved liver damage biomarkers and lipid profile parameters in serum. Moreover, lipid peroxidation was prevented and antioxidant enzyme activities in liver were regulated by NFE treatment. Furthermore, anti-immunotoxic and anti-neurotoxic effects of NFE were determined in liver tissue of diabetic rats. Histopathogically, significant liver damages were observed in the diabetic rats. Histopathological changes were decreased partially in the 225 mg/kg NFE treated group. SLC2A2 gene expression in liver of diabetic rats significantly reduced compared to healthy rats and NFE treatment (25 mg/kg) caused increase in gene expression.

Conclusion

Flower extract of Nerium plant may have an antidiabetic potential due to its high phytochemical content.

Graphical Abstract

Highlights

  • Nerium flower extract (NFE) may have antidiabetic and antioxidant potential.

  • Nerium flower extract (NFE) may have antidiabetic and antioxidant potential.

  • NFE treatment resulted with decrease in lipid peroxidation and liver biomarkers.

  • SLC2A2 gene expression level decreased in liver of diabetic rats.

  • Histopathological improvements were observed in NFE treated diabetic rats.

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Data Availability

All data generated or analyzed during this study is included in this article.

Ethical Animals were handled according to the guidelines of the Institutional Committee of Care and Use of Laboratory Animals of the Van Yüzüncü Yıl University Experimental Animal Unit, that approved the experiments under the file 27552122-604.01.02-E.41,738.

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Acknowledgements

We want to thank to Assoc. Prof. Dr. Süleyman Mesut PINAR because of identification of plant material.

Funding

This work was supported by Van Yüzüncü Yıl University Scientific Research Coordination Unit with grant numbers (TSA-2017-5927) and (TSA-2016-5097).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Van Yüzüncü Yıl University, Van, Turkey

    Abdulhamit Battal

  2. Department of Biochemistry, Van Yüzüncü Yıl University, Van, Turkey

    Abdulahad Dogan

  3. Departement of Pathology, Mustafa Kemal University, Hatay, Turkey

    Ahmet Uyar

  4. Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Van Yüzüncü Yıl University, Van, Turkey

    Abdulbaki Demir & Ismail Celik

  5. Departement of Pathology, Van Yüzüncü Yıl University, Van, Turkey

    Ömer Faruk Keleş

  6. Department of Genetics and Bioengineering, Kastamonu University, Kastamonu, Turkey

    Mehmet Cengiz Baloglu

  7. Department of Pharmacology, Van Yüzüncü Yıl University, Van, Turkey

    Ali Aslan

  8. Department of Biology, Kyrgyz-Turkish Manas University, Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan

    Ali Aslan

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  1. Abdulhamit Battal
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Contributions

Abdulhamit Battal: Development of methodology, analysis, data interpretation, manuscript writing and editing; Abdulahad Dogan: Development of methodology, analysis, data interpretation, manuscript writing and editing; Ahmet Uyar and Ömer Faruk Keleş: Histological studies; Abdulbaki Demir: Analysis data; Ismail Celik: Design of experiment and manuscript review; Mehmet Cengiz Baloglu: Analysis data and manuscript review; Ali Aslan: Data analysis.

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Correspondence to Abdulhamit Battal.

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Battal, A., Dogan, A., Uyar, A. et al. Exploring of the ameliorative effects of Nerium (Nerium oleander L.) ethanolic flower extract in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats via biochemical, histological and molecular aspects. Mol Biol Rep 50, 4193–4205 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11033-023-08332-5

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