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Pomegranate peel extract nanoparticles enhance insulin production and antioxidant activity of diabetic rats
Hanan Yousri Ibrahim Al Sayed1, Mostafa I Abdelglil2, Hanan Ramadan H Mohamed1
1Zoology Department, Faculty of Science, Cairo University, Giza 12613, Egypt.
Insights
Pomegranate peel extract nanoparticles (PPE-NPs) show promise in treating Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus (T1DM) in rats. This study found PPE-NPs improved key health markers and organ function in diabetic rats.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Science
- Pharmacology
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus (T1DM) is a prevalent chronic disease in children and adolescents.
- Pomegranate peel extract (PPE) possesses various therapeutic properties, including anti-inflammatory effects.
- Chitosan nanoparticles offer a method to stabilize and deliver PPE.
Purpose of the Study:
- To prepare and characterize Pomegranate Peel Extract-Chitosan Nanoparticles (PPE-NPs).
- To evaluate the therapeutic potential of PPE-NPs in a rat model of Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus.
Main Methods:
- PPE-NPs were synthesized using ionotropic gelation and characterized by spectroscopy and microscopy.
- Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus was induced in rats using streptozotocin.
- Diabetic rats were treated with chitosan nanoparticles or PPE-NPs, and various physiological and histological parameters were assessed.
Main Results:
- PPE-NP administration significantly increased serum insulin, albumin, HDL-cholesterol, and antioxidant levels.
- Treatment with PPE-NPs reduced glucose, triglycerides, LDL-cholesterol, and markers of oxidative stress and DNA damage.
- Gene expression of adiponectin and leptin was significantly upregulated by PPE-NPs, with improved pancreatic, liver, and kidney histology.
Conclusions:
- Pomegranate peel extract nanoparticles (PPE-NPs) demonstrate significant therapeutic effects in a rat model of Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus.
- PPE-NPs enhance pancreatic, hepatic, and renal functions and structures in diabetic rats.
- Potential antidiabetic mechanisms include improved beta-cell histology, increased insulin, and antioxidant activity.
Background:
Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus (T1DM) is among the most prevalent chronic diseases in children and adolescents, with an anticipated global prevalence of 1.52 million individuals under the age of 20. Pomegranate peel extract (PPE) has recently garnered significant study interest due to its demonstrated therapeutic qualities, including antibacterial, antiviral, anticancer, anti-ulcer, antihypertensive, and anti-inflammatory effects. Encapsulating PPE in chitosan nanoparticles is a beneficial method for safeguarding the extract's sensitive components. The current study aims to prepare and characterize PPE-chitosan nanoparticles for the treatment of type 1 diabetes mellitus in rats.
Methods:
PPE-NPs were synthesized via the ionotropic gelation process and characterized using UV-visible spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and dynamic light scattering. T1DM developed following a single intraperitoneal administration of streptozotocin (60 mg/kg, in citrate buffer). Twenty-four rats were divided into four groups (6 rats /group): control, T1DM, chitosan NPs (60 mg/kg, p.o.), and PPE-NPs (60 mg/kg, p.o.).
Results:
In the diabetic rats, PPE-NP administration raised serum insulin (0.59 ± 0.01; 126.92%), total proteins, albumin, HDL-cholesterol, uric acid, glutathione reduced, and catalase levels significantly while lowering glucose (342.01 ± 5.26; -19.93%), aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, alanine aminotransferase, triglycerides, LDL-cholesterol, creatinine, urea, malondialdehyde, nitric oxide, DNA damage levels. Furthermore, PPE-NPs significantly increased the expression levels of adiponectin (0.93 ± 0.02; 52.46%) and leptin genes (0.82 ± 0.0; 64%). PPE-NPs also significantly improved diabetic rats' pancreatic, liver, and kidney histology using hematoxylin and eosin, as well as Masson trichrome staining.
Conclusion:
The findings of this study demonstrated that pomegranate peel extract nanoparticles (PPE-NPs) significantly enhance pancreatic, hepatic, and renal functions and structures in diabetic rats. The potential antidiabetic mechanisms of PPE-NPs in T1DM include the histological preservation of β cells, increased serum insulin levels, and antioxidant activity.
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