Effects of Punicagranatum fruits extract on insulin gene expression and insulin signaling pathway in Alloxan-induced diabetic Wistar rats

Introduction: Pancreatic β-cells dysfunction and impairment of hepatic insulin signaling pathways usually conducts to hyperglycemia in diabetes mellitus (DM). Punicagranatum (pomegranate) is a traditional plant remedy in Iran due to its positive effects on ameliorating blood glucose homeostasis. Materials and methods: Alloxanmonohydrate-diabetic Wistar rats were administrated with pomegranate fruits aqueous extract (PE) and the effects of PE polyphenols on fasting blood glucose (FBG), ins expression, phosphorylation and expression levels of insulin signaling molecules, IR, IRS-1, IRS-2, PI3K and Akt were examined. Results: Our data showed a noticeable reduction in FBG by 64.78% in PE treated group. HOMA-IR test showed 57% improvement in PE rats, compared with controls. The results showed an improvement in hepatic expression of irs-1 and akt in PE administrated rats, whereas the damages due to phosphorylation of these proteins were reduced in PE treated group. Conclusion: It is suggested that PE consumption may contribute to the modulation of hyperglycemia through betterment of pancreatic β-cells ins expression and hepatic insulin signaling pathways in alloxan-induced diabetic rats

کلیدواژه ها:

Alloxanmonohydrate ، Punicagranatum ، Hepatic insulin signaling pathways ، Insulin resistance ، Diabetes mellitus