Gluc-HET, a complementary chick embryo model for the characterization of antidiabetic compounds

Area of Science:

• Biochemistry
• Pharmacology
• Embryology

Background:

• Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) involves insulin resistance and beta-cell dysfunction, leading to hyperglycemia.
• Current T2DM treatments include insulin, insulin sensitizers, and glucose-lowering drugs.
• Phytochemicals are gaining attention for T2DM therapy and prevention, necessitating efficient screening methods.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and validate a novel in-ovo assay for characterizing antidiabetic phytochemicals.
• To adapt the Hens Egg Test (HET) for assessing blood glucose-lowering effects of compounds.
• To optimize assay parameters for reliable phytochemical screening.

Main Methods:

• Modification of the Hens Egg Test (HET) into the Gluc-HET assay for antidiabetic compound screening.
• Optimization of incubation times and buffer parameters (temperature, composition, volume) for drug application.
• In-ovo testing of plant extracts previously identified in in-vitro screening for their efficacy in reducing blood glucose.

Main Results:

• The Gluc-HET model demonstrated reliability and manageability for characterizing antidiabetic compounds.
• The assay successfully evaluated the in-ovo efficacy of selected plant extracts.
• Optimized incubation and buffer conditions enhanced the assay's performance.

Conclusions:

• The Gluc-HET assay is a versatile and effective tool for screening phytochemicals with antidiabetic potential.
• This model provides a valuable system for identifying novel therapeutic agents for T2DM.
• The Gluc-HET assay contributes to the development of new strategies for T2DM management.