Affiliation:
1. Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Selcuk University , Konya, 42130 , Türkiye
2. Department of Pathology, Selcuk University , Konya, 42130 , Türkiye
Abstract
Abstract
Objectives
The aim of this study was to determine the single and combined antidiabetic activity and side effects of the retinoid X receptor agonist bexarotene and the thioredoxin-interacting protein inhibitor and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ and AMP-activated protein kinase activator icariin.
Methods
The rats were grouped as healthy (control), diabetes, diabetes + bexarotene (20 mg/kg), diabetes + icariin (60 mg/kg), diabetes + bexarotene (10 mg/kg) + icariin (30 mg/kg) low-dose combination and diabetes + bexarotene (20 mg/kg) + icariin (60 mg/kg) high-dose combination groups.
Key findings
Icariin treatment led to a significant reduction in glucose levels compared with the diabetes control group, a remarkable outcome observed 45 days after the initial application. HbA1c levels of the icariin and low-dose combination treatment groups were significantly lower than in the diabetes group. Notably, icariin treatment also significantly elevated HOMA-β levels, which is indicative of improved β-cell function. Icariin significantly decreased glucose levels at 30 and 120 min in the oral glucose tolerance test. Moreover, it ameliorated hepatocyte degeneration, hepatic cord dissociation, congestion, mononuclear cell infiltration in the liver, and degeneration in the pancreas.
Conclusions
Icariin treatment exhibited robust antidiabetic effects with fewer side effects than other treatment options in this study. In future studies, long-term and varying doses of icariin will contribute to the development of novel antidiabetic drugs.
Funder
Selcuk University Scientific Research Projects
Publisher
Oxford University Press (OUP)
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