Effect of yacon leaf extract and enhydrin on the endocrine pancreas of diabetic rats

SERRA BARCELLONA C.; HONORÉ S.M.; SÁNCHEZ, S.S.; GENTA S.B.

Horco Molle, Tucumán

Jornada; XXX Jornadas Científicas Asociación de Biología de Tucumán; 2013

Asociación de Biología de Tucumán

Diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disease characterized by hyperglycemia. Yacon (Smallanthus sonchifolius) is an Andean crop used in traditional medicine. In our laboratory we have demonstrated that leaves decoction and its main lactone enhydrin were effective to reduce blood glucose levels and useful in the treatment of diabetic animals. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the effect of yacon leaf extract and enhydrin on the endocrine pancreas to establish one of the possible mechanisms of action. The decoction and enhydrin was given for 30 days at a daily dose of 140 mg/kg of b.w. and 0,8 mg/kg of b.w., respectively. Blood glucose, glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1C) and insulin levels were determinate in plasma. Immunohistochemical studies were performed on pancreas of diabetic animals with anti-insulin antibody. Oral administration of decoction and enhydrin resulted in a significant decrease of blood glucose and HbA1c levels at end of the treatment. Immunohistochemical studies revealed that treatment produced a significant increase in β cell number. However, no changes were detected in plasma insulin levels during the experimental period. Our results suggest that yacon leaf decoction and enhydrin improved the diabetic state through increasing the mass of positive insulin cells in the pancreas.