Effect Of Argyreia Nervosa On The Expression Of Growth Factor Signaling In The Skeletal Muscle Of Streptozotocin-Induced Experimental Diabetic Rats

Abstract

Introduction: Diabetes mellitus, is a chronic disorder marked by a lack of insulin, where there is a role of the metabolic and hemodynamic pathway leading to an increase or relative deficit of growth factors in target tissues. Argyreia nervosa has α-amylase inhibitory flavonoids (viexin, rutin, myricetin & isoquercetin), which exert their anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory activities by maintaining antioxidant levels. This study aimed to assess the antihyperglycemic activity and effect on growth factor signalling proteins IGF and TGF of Argyreia nervosa. Methods: Rats that showed hyperglycaemia (blood glucose level >250 mg/dl) were selected for the experimental study. Animals were grouped into 4 groups of six animals each as Normal rats, Diabetic rats, Diabetic rats with oral administration of plant root extract and Normal rats with oral administration of root extract and the experimental period was 5 days. At the end of the experimental period, the rats were euthanized and gene expression analysis was done for IGF and TGF. Results: The expression of growth factors increased after induction of STZ thus enhancing oxidative stress and thus implicated in diabetes conditions. Diabetes enhances oxidative stress and induces the expression of TGF & IGF.

Conclusion: Growth factor expression is used as a marker of diabetes and reversal of growth factor expression was observed after the application of plant root extract, which confirms it as a therapeutic target for diabetes.