The effect of extracts of fruits of different cultivars of Cornus mas L. on plasma lipid profile in experimental diabetes mellitus

Abstract

Background. Diabetes mellitus with impaired transport of glucose from the blood into the cells against the background of absolute or relative hypoinsulinemia is accompanied by the development of dyslipidemia. Therefore, it is important to find therapeutic agents capable of alleviating the symptoms and, as a result, the course of diabetes. Screening of antidiabetic agents indicates that one of their main potential sources is natural products of plant origin. However, although a wide range of plant extracts are known to be used to treat diabetes, the use of only some of them has been scientifically proven. The aim of the study was to investigate the influence of biologically active substances available in the extracts of fruits of different cultivars of Cornus mas L. on plasma lipid profile in experimental diabetes mellitus. Materials and methods. Wistar male rats with starting weight of 140–170 g were used for all experiments. Diabetes was induced by intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (55 mg/kg of body weight). The animals were divided into five groups. The first (control) and the second (diabetic control) groups orally received 1 mL of water daily for 14 days. Diabetic animals of the third to fifth groups were orally administered extracts of red and yellow fruits of Cornus mas L. and the “Loganic acid” extract, respectively, in the amount of 20 mg/kg of body weight for 14 days. The concentration of low-density lipoproteins, high-density lipoproteins, triglycerides, and cholesterol was determined in the rats’ blood plasma. Atherogenic indices were calculated based on lipid profile in blood plasma. Results. The total cholesterol content in diabetic rats’ blood plasma was reliably reduced when the extract of the red fruits of the Cornus mas L. “Podolski” cultivar was administered. “Loganic acid” extract, obtained from the yellow fruits of the “Yantarnyi” and “Flava” cultivars of Cornus mas L., decreased the concentration of total cholesterol, triglycerides, and the content of low-density lipoproteins against the background of an increase in the content of high-density lipoproteins in blood plasma. The atherogenic indexes made it possible to establish that the degree of risk of cardiovascular complications due to diabetes is significantly reduced against the background of the administration of extracts of cornelian cherry fruits. Conclusions. Extracts of the fruits of the “Podolski”, “Yantarnyi” and “Flava” cultivars of Cornus mas L. correct the lipid profile of blood plasma in streptozotocin-induced diabetes animals and, as a result, may potentially prevent the development of atherosclerotic changes and cardiovascular complications. The fruits of Cornus mas L. may be potential agents in the therapy of dyslipidemia in diabetes.