Effect of Ethyl Acetate Fraction of Silybum Marianum and Ficus Carica Leaves Extract on Biochemical Parameters and Histopathological Outcomes Obtained in Streptozotocin-induced T2DM Rats

Abstract

Background: Herbs have long been used to treat diabetes mellitus (DM), and many of them have been shown to have anti-diabetic properties. The well-known plant Silybum marianum (SM) which is used both as a food and medicine has long been used to cure a variety of illnesses, particularly hepatic diseases. A silymarin-containing flavonolignan complex is found in the seeds and fruits of SM. In addition due to its many phytochemicals, Ficus carica (FC) are well known for its therapeutic benefits. This study aimed to investigate the activity of ethyl acetate fraction of Silybum marianum and Ficus Carica leaves (SM+FC) extract on histopathological changes and some biochemical parameters in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats.

Methods: Fifty healthy adult male Wister rats were included in the study. To induce type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), animals were fed a high-fat diet for 2 weeks before injected intraperitoneally with 40 mg/kg of Streptozotocin. Diabetic rats were divided into 5 groups ( each group include 10 rats)  and used for 4 weeks as following HC: Healthy control , DC: Negative control ( induced T2DM without any treatment) , MC: Positive control ( induced T2DM, rats were treated with 22.5 mg/kg standard drug metformin ) , SM: Rats were treated with 250 mg/kg  ethyl acetate fraction of Silybum  marianum , FC: Rats were treated with 250 mg/kg ethyl acetate fraction of Ficus carica and SM+FC: Rats were treated with 250 mg/kg ethyl acetate fraction of Silybum marianum + 250 mg/kg Ficus Carica leaves extract. Blood samples were taken for measurement of blood glucose, urea, ALT and lipid profile levels. After ending the experiments survival animals were sacrificed and there pancreas, liver and kidney obtained for Histopathological study.

Aim of the study: To investigate effects of ethyl acetate fraction of silybum marianum and ficus carica leaves extract on some biochemical parameters and histopathological changes of pancreas, liver and kidney in streptozotocin-induced T2DM rats.

Results: Ethyl acetate fraction of Silybum marianum was significantly decreased FBG, ALT, urea and lipid profile levels in comparison with other treatment used in the current study, and related to normal control group. In contrast diabetic induced group had significantly higher levels of FBG, ALT, urea and lipid profile levels. Histopathological results of silybum marianum therapy, demonstrated improvement in the hepatic, renal and pancreatic tissues. The hypoglycemic activity of Silybum marianum and ficus carica leaves extract were compared with metformin, a conventional hypoglycemic medicine; The ethyl acetate fraction of the silybum marianum extracts, which were administered for 4 weeks of the experiment, were shown to be most efficient in this essay to reverse and normalize the degenerative effects of STZ had on the liver, kidney and pancreatic tissues of rats, and this might be linked to its anti-diabetic properties. These results collectively imply that silybum marianum may protect against diabetes complications through mechanisms that are anti-diabetic, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-hypertriglyceridemia, delaying the onset of diabetic problems.

Conclusion: Ethyl acetate fraction of Silybum Marianum extract such an anti-diabetic plant might be thought of as a possible source and treatment agent for diabetes patients based on the results. Results of this study showed that silybum marianum leaves extracts have a significant impact on blood glucose levels and have a beneficial effect on the regeneration of the liver and kidney histology. They also nearly normalized the altered levels of urea, lipids, and liver enzyme. The discovered polyherbal combination can be researched further as a viable natural treatment for the control of drug-induced diabetes, hepatotoxicity, and nephrotoxicity.