Ameliorative impact of Morus alba leaves’ aqueous extract against embryonic ophthalmic tissue malformation in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

• Published in: Biomedicine & pharmacotherapy Vol. 95; pp. 1072 - 1081
• Main Authors: Assiri, Adel M.A., El-Beeh, Mohamed E., Amin, Ali H., Ramadan, Mohamed Fawzy
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: France Elsevier Masson SAS 01.11.2017
• Subjects: Animals; Antidiabetic; Antioxidants; Antioxidants - metabolism; Comet Assay; Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental - blood; Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental - complications; Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental - drug therapy; Eye; Eye Abnormalities - complications; Eye Abnormalities - drug therapy; Eye Abnormalities - embryology; Female; Free radicals; Male; Morus - chemistry; Mulberry; Offspring; Oxidation-Reduction; Phytotherapy; Plant Extracts - pharmacology; Plant Extracts - therapeutic use; Plant Leaves - chemistry; Rats; Retina; Retina - pathology; Streptozocin; Antioxidants; Eye; Mulberry; Offspring; Free radicals; Antidiabetic; Retina
• ISSN: 0753-3322; 1950-6007
• DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2017.09.013

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is becoming a serious threat to human health. Morus alba var. multicaulis (Perr.) Loudon (Moraceae) showed a bright future in DM therapy. The study evaluates the antioxidant activity of Morus alba leaves aqueous extract (MLAE) and antidiabetic properties of MLAE in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats focusing on the ameliorative effects against embryogenesis defects. MLAE was assayed for bioactive compounds, and antiradical potential. MLAE (100mg/kg body weight) was orally administered to albino rats. DM was induced by intraperitoneal injection of STZ (60mg/kg). The pregnant rats were arranged into 4 groups including control pregnant (C), MLAE-treated group (M), experimental diabetic group (D), and combined diabetic with MLAE-treated group (D-MLAE). The experiment performed in about six months. TPC in MLAE accounted for 11mg GAE/g dry weight (dw) while vitamin C and β-carotene amounts were 144 and 0.1mg/100g, respectively. MLAE exhibited DPPH, NO and O−2 radical scavenging activities. Treatment of diseased-rats with MLAE resoluted serum glucose levels (378mg/dL), wherein glucose recorded the highest level (830mg/dL) in DM mothers. DM rats recorded the highest level of TC, TG, HDLc, LDLc, and CK, while MLAE treatment reduced those levels. DM rats recorded the highest level of MDA, H2O2, SOD, CAT, GST, GSPase, GSH, GOT, GPT, albumin, bilirubin, arginase, and α-l-fucosidase, while MLAE reduced those levels. Histological photomicrographs of maternal retina showed degenerated ganglionic cells, and neovascularization of nerve fiber layer with edematous inner plexiform layer, and partial loss outer plexiform layer in DM rats. MLAE could be used to ameliorate DM. Thus, it might be considered as useful dietary supplements in diabetic patients.