Hydroalcoholic Extract Of Solanum Lycocarpum A. St. Hil. (Solanaceae) Leaves Improves Alloxan-Induced Diabetes Complications In Mice

Background: Solanum lycocarpum is a medicinal plant used in Brazil with hypoglycemic activity by its fruits use. However, the fruits production is restricted in some periods of the year, differently of leaves.Objective: To evaluate the effects of hydroalcoholic extracts of S. lycocarpum leaves in alloxan-induced diabetic mice.Methods: Hydroalcoholic extract of S. lycocarpum was characterized by phytochemical and GC-MS analysis. The Antidiabetic activity was assessed following treatment for 22 days with S. lycocarpum extract at 125, 250, and 500 mg/kg. Bodyweight, water, and food intake, glycemia, biochemical parameters, anatomy-histopathology of the pancreas, liver and kidney, and expression of target genes were analyzed. In addition, oral acute toxicity was evaluated.Results: Animals treated showed a significant reduction (p < 0.05) in glycemia following a dose of 125 mg/kg. Food intake remained similar for all groups. Decreased polydipsia symptoms were observed after treatment with 250 (p < 0.001) and 500 mg/kg (p < 0.01) compared with diabetic control, although normal rates were observed when 125 mg/kg was administered. A protective effect was also observed in the pancreas, liver, and kidneys, through the regeneration of the islets. Hypoglycemic activity can be attributed to myo-inositol, which stimulates insulin secretion, associated with a-tocopherol, which prevents damage from oxidative stress and apoptosis of beta-pancreatic cells by an increased Catalase (CAT) and Glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) mRNA expression. The toxicological test demonstrated safe oral use of the extract under the present conditions.Conclusion: Hydroalcoholic extract of S. lycocarpum promotes the regulation of diabetes in the case of moderate glycemic levels, by decreasing glycemia and exerting protective effects on the islets.