Treatment of fatty pancreas: Acalypha indica Linn. extract as an alternative to simvastatin

Abstract

Nowadays, high-fructose/high-cholesterol diet has increased the incidence of dyslipidemia, insulin resistance, and metabolic syndrome, which are the main risk factors of non-alcoholic fatty pancreas disease (NAFPD) and may lead to pancreatic cancer. The pathogenesis and treatment of NAFPD are currently yet to be well-understood. The use of simvastatin in managing the pancreatic disease was shown to reduce cancer risk, but it raised concerns as it was recently found to induce diabetes and worsen hyperglycaemia and A1c levels in pre-existing diabetes. Acalypha indica Linn. (AI) is known to have flavonoids and polyphenols which may decrease LDL and increase HDL level. In contrast to simvastatin, AI may control post-prandial hyperglycemia. A study on rat induced with high-fructose/high-cholesterol diet showed that AI helped reverse fatty formation in the pancreas, which was not significantly different from the rats given simvastatin. This article reviews the potential use of Acalypha indica Linn. extract as an alternative to modify the risk factors underlying NAFPD.Nowadays, high-fructose/high-cholesterol diet has increased the incidence of dyslipidemia, insulin resistance, and metabolic syndrome, which are the main risk factors of non-alcoholic fatty pancreas disease (NAFPD) and may lead to pancreatic cancer. The pathogenesis and treatment of NAFPD are currently yet to be well-understood. The use of simvastatin in managing the pancreatic disease was shown to reduce cancer risk, but it raised concerns as it was recently found to induce diabetes and worsen hyperglycaemia and A1c levels in pre-existing diabetes. Acalypha indica Linn. (AI) is known to have flavonoids and polyphenols which may decrease LDL and increase HDL level. In contrast to simvastatin, AI may control post-prandial hyperglycemia. A study on rat induced with high-fructose/high-cholesterol diet showed that AI helped reverse fatty formation in the pancreas, which was not significantly different from the rats given simvastatin. This article reviews the potential use of Acalypha indica Linn. extract as a...