Clinacanthus nutans L Extracts Reduce the Serum Tumor Necrosis Factor-α, Malondialdehyde, and Interleukin-6 Levels and Improve the Langerhans Islet Area in Diabetic Rat Models

Abstract

Background: Diabetes mellitus-induced hyperglycemia increases oxidative stress and inflammatory cytokine production, which play a significant role in the damage and apoptosis of pancreatic β cells. Therefore, the administration of medications that can reduce oxidative stress and inflammation plays an important role in diabetes treatment.

Objective: To probe the Clinacanthus nutans leaf extract effect on oxidative stress and inflammatory markers and the Langerhans islet area in diabetic rat models.

Design: An experimental laboratory in the animal model.

Methods: Twenty-five diabetic rat models were randomly assigned into 5 clusters. Clusters 1, 2, and 3 were administered with C. nutans leaf extract in aqueous suspension with vehicle 1% Na-CMC at 75 mg/kg body weight (BW), 150 mg/kg BW, and 300 mg/kg BW, respectively. Cluster 4 was diabetic control rats administered with metformin at a 21 mg/rat dose. Cluster 5 was a control diabetic rat only administered with 1% Na-CMC suspension. Treatment was administered orally for 14 days. On the 15th day, the rats were sacrificed to obtain blood samples and pancreatic tissues. Serum interleukin (IL)-6, malondialdehyde (MDA), and tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α) were measured using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method. Histopathological examination was performed by counting the Langerhans islet areas.

Results: The average IL-6, MDA, and TNF-α levels declined in the cluster receiving C. nutans extract and were significantly different from the untreated cluster (P < .05). Histopathological examination revealed a significant upsurge in the Langerhans islets area in diabetic rats receiving C. nutans extract at doses of 75 and 150 mg/kg (P < .05).

Conclusion: C. nutans leaf extract reduced the serum MDA, TNF-α, and IL-6 levels, and increased the Langerhans islets area in a diabetic rat model.

Keywords: Clinacanthus nutans L; Diabetes; Langerhans islet; interleukin-6; malondialdehyde; medicine; tumor necrosis factor-α.

Figure 1.

MDA (a), TNF-α (b), and IL-6 (c) serum levels post-treatment with C. nutans extract in diabetic rats model. Data are presented as means ± standard deviations. Cluster 1, diabetic rats administered. with C. nutans leaf extract at doses of 75 mg/kg; Cluster 2, diabetic rats administered. with C. nutans leaf extract at doses of 150 mg/kg; Cluster 3, diabetic rats administered. with C. nutans leaf extract at doses of 300 mg/kg; Cluster 4, diabetic rat model administered. with metformin at doses of 21 mg/rat; Cluster 5, control diabetic rat. *Different to cluster 5 (diabetic control). A significant difference in MDA and TNF-α level were observed in clusters treated with C. nutans at all doses compared to diabetic control. Whereas a significant difference in IL-6 level was only observed in the cluster treated with C. nutans dose 300 mg/kg BW compared to diabetic control.

Figure 2.

Effects of C. nutans Extracts on the Langerhans Islet Area in Diabetic Rats based on histopathological examination of the pancreas [HE stain, 400x]. Histopathological image of the Langerhans islet area (yellow arrow) (a), Langerhans islet area calculation (b). Cluster 1, diabetic rats administered. with C. nutans leaf extract at doses of 75 mg/kg; Cluster 2, diabetic rats administered. with C. nutans leaf extract at doses of 150 mg/kg; Cluster 3, diabetic rats administered. with C. nutans leaf extract at doses of 300 mg/kg; Cluster 4, diabetic rat model administered. with metformin at doses of 21 mg/rat; Cluster 5, control diabetic rat. *Different to cluster 5 (diabetic control). Significant increases in Langerhans islet area was observed in the C. nutans-treated clusters at doses of 75 and 150 mg/kg BW compared to diabetic controls.