Experimental Study of Reversion of Puerariae Radix Lobatae Flavonoids on Pancreas Injury Induced by Streptozotocin in Mice

Abstract:

Objective: To investigate the experimental study of reversion of Puerariae Radix Lobatae flavonoids on pancreas injury induced by streptozotocin in mice. Method: Being established diabetic mice by intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (150 mg·kg^-1) firstly, and then the mice were randomly divided into 5 groups: model group, dimethyldiguanide group (80 mg·kg^-1), low-, moderate-and high-dose groups of Puerariae Radix Lobatae flavonoids (80, 160, 240 mg·kg^-1). The drugs were intragastrically given to mice daily for 14 days. The level of fasting blood glucose (FBG) was tested by glucose oxidase method. The levels of fasting serum insulin (FIns) and insulin resistance (IR) were measured via radioimmunoassay (RIA).The activities of glutathione-peroxidase (GSH-Px), superoxide dismutase (SOD) in pancreas tissue, and the contents of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and malondialdehyde (MDA) were using ELISA test. The pathologic changes of pancreatic cells were observed by HE staining. The expression of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) in pancreas was through Western blot analysis. Result: Compared to model control group, Puerariae Radix Lobatae flavonoids effectively lowered the blood-glucose level in diabetic mice (P<0.01). The insulin level in serum was restored, and IR condition was improved (P<0.01). The activities of GSH-Px, SOD in pancreas tissue were elevated, while the content of ROS, MDA was lessened (P<0.01). And the islet beta cells injure was reversed. The HO-1 expression was down-regulated in pancreatic tissue (P<0.05). Conclusion: The findings demonstrate that Puerariae Radix Lobatae flavonoids mediate protection against pancreas injury induced by STZ in mice, though the mechanisms involved in amelioration of metabolism in blood glucose and suppression of oxidative stress.