Functional beta cell regeneration in the islets of pancreas in alloxan induced diabetic rats by (-)-epicatechin.
(-)-Epicatechin (1), a naturally occurring flavonoid compound was found to have reversed the diabetogenic action of alloxan in albino rats (2). (-)-Epicatechin administration in doses of 30 mg/kg (i.p.) twice daily for 4-5 days in alloxan induced (150 mg/kg, i.p.) diabetic albino rats (either sex), has brought down the high blood sugar levels to normal values. Concurrent histological studies of the pancreas of these animals showed regeneration of the beta-cell population of the islets which were earlier necrosed by alloxan. Immunoreactive insulin (IRI) studies showed that the regenerated beta-cells of the islets of pancreas are functional in nature.
D000818:Animals; D001578:Benzopyrans / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D002392:Catechin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003921:Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D007328:Insulin / Q000097:blood; D007515:Islets of Langerhans / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D009336:Necrosis; D051381:Rats; D012038:Regeneration / Q000187:drug effects*
D001578:Benzopyrans; D001786:Blood Glucose; D007328:Insulin; D002392:Catechin