Kalanchoe crenata decoction and infusion improve insulin resistance and fasting glycemia of diabetic obese rats MACAPOS 2

Objective

Kalanchoe crenata is a medicinal plant traditionally used in diabetes management. Type 2 diabetes is a metabolic disorder characterized by abnormally high glycemia and insulin resistance. We investigated the effects of Kalanchoe crenata aqueous extracts on diabetic rats.

Methods

Six-week-old normal rats were fed a high-fat diet for 16 weeks. Then, selected obese rats intravenously received a unique dose of streptozotocin (22.5 ​mg/kg b.w.). One week later, the obtained diabetic rats received K. crenata decoction (DKc) or infusion (IKc) once daily, respectively, at 37.5, 75.0, or 150.0 ​mg/kg b.w., or Metformin(70 ​mg/kg) once daily for 42 days, during which the fasting glycemia, urine volume, and water intake were recorded. At the end of the treatment, animals were subjected to oral glucose tolerance and insulin tolerance tests. They were then sacrificed; serum and pancreas were collected for insulinemia evaluation and histological analysis, respectively.

Results

Obese diabetic animals had fasting glycemia > 200 ​mg/dL. The DKc, IKc, and Metformin reduced (P ​< ​0.05) glycemia with the maximum effect (P ​< ​0.01) in the 6th week and improved glucose tolerance and insulin resistance. The extracts decreased 24-h urine volume as well as water intake and reduced insulinemia (P ​< ​0.01): IKc75 (−66.4%) and IKc150 (−59.3%). This result was associated with decreased results of Homeostatic Model Assessment for Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR). The extracts improved the size of Langerhans islets. Infusion improved diabetes parameters to a greater extent than decoction.

Conclusion

Kalanchoe crenata aqueous extracts improved glucose tolerance and insulin resistance in diabetic rats. This study contributed to justifying the empirical use of this plant for diabetes management.