An Immunohistochemical Evaluation of Glut 2 in Islets of Langerhans Treated with Gymnema Sylvestre and Metformin in Streptozotocin-induced Animals

Diabetes mellitus is a generally known metabolic disorder affecting individuals, not only the elderly population, but all age groups. Among the etiologies of diabetes, reduction of glucose transporter GLUT-2 is accompanied by a loss in glucose-mediated insulin secretion, causing diabetes. To treat diabetes, the present scenario is the demand for time to use herbal drugs with minimal detrimental effects. Considering the benefits of Gymnema sylvestre, an anti-diabetic herbal drug, our current study is designed to expose the plausible relationship between the anti-diabetic activity and GLUT-2 expression, and the efficacy is evaluated in a streptozotocin-induced diabetic model.

Materials and Methods: Wistar albino adult rats (n=36) weighing about 140–160 g. Each group consisted of 6 animals and was divided into six groups based on the high fat diet (42 days), the streptozotocin-induced diabetic model (5 days) and treated for 22 days using ethanolic extract of Gymnema sylvestre at low (200mg) and high dosage (400mg) and metformin (25mg). During the experimental period, blood glucose levels and the animal weight were carefully monitored.

Results: Decreased body weight, pancreatic weight, and increased blood glucose were observed in Group III along with a reduced level of GLUT-2 expression, indicating the manifestation of diabetes. In diabetic rats, however, these abnormalities are significantly restored after treatment with Gymnema sylvestre, albeit at a higher dosage.The Gymnema sylvestre displays the antidiabetic activity through the regeneration of pancreatic β-cells, maintaining GLUT-2 expression in diabetic induced animal model and Our histological study of pancreatic tissue also confirms the regeneration of beta cells.