Ferula assa‐foetida oleo gum resin ethanolic extract alleviated the pancreatic changes and antioxidant status in streptozotocin‐induced diabetic rats: A biochemical, histopathological, and ultrastructural study

• Published in: Journal of food biochemistry Vol. 46; no. 8; pp. e14191 - n/a
• Main Authors: Latifi, Ebrahim, Mohammadpour, Ahmad Ali, Fathi Hafshejani, Behrooz, Nourani, Hosein
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01.08.2022
• Subjects: Diabetes mellitus; electron microscopy; Ferula assa‐foetida L; histomorphometryislets of Langerhansstreptozotocin; electron microscopy; Ferula assa-foetida L; histomorphometryislets of Langerhansstreptozotocin; Diabetes mellitus
• ISSN: 0145-8884; 1745-4514
• DOI: 10.1111/jfbc.14191

The current research examines the effects of administration of 150 and 250 mg/kg body weight/day of ethanolic Ferula assa‐foetida L. oleo gum resin extract (FAE) for 42 days in streptozotocin‐induced diabetes in rats. On day 42, all rats were euthanized; HOMA‐β, HOMA‐IR, and QUICKI levels in pancreas were examined histopathologically and ultrastructurally . Low‐dose FAE (150 mg/kg) treatment resulted in significant improvement in serum glucose, insulin and superoxide dismutase, glutathione, and catalase levels (p < .05). It also improved β‐cell function, restored pancreatic β‐cells, and reduced insulin resistance compared to the diabetic control rats. Necrotic and degenerative alterations in the islets, pyknotic β‐cell nuclei, β‐cell degranulation, reduced islet cellular density, and significant vacuolation were found in the islets of STZ‐diabetic control group ratsby the histomorphological and ultrastructural examination. The pancreatic histomorphology of low dose of FAE‐treated diabetic rats showed remarkable improvements in the islets, such as the β‐cell number and the area of the pancreatic islets. Practical applications The experiment revealed that Ferula assa‐foetida L. may exert antihyperglycemic activity in STZ diabetes via β‐cell regeneration and its high antioxidant capacity. This work elucidates the role of Ferula assa‐foetida L. in diabetes management. Ferula assa‐foetida L. gum extract improved the morphological changes of the diabetic pancreas and stimulated the regeneration of the β cells. The findings demonstrated positive results for the long‐term cure of diabetes. Additionally, this study showed the potential of isolating nutraceuticals for the development of medications. Ferula assa‐foetida gum extract (FAE) has an antidiabetic effect on STZ‐induced diabetic rats. FAE prevents β cell damage, improves the ultrastructure of these cells, and increases the number of β cells and the secretion of insulin granules. FAE is a potential source for the isolation of new oral antidiabetic agent(s).