title: Evaluating the toxic and beneficial effects of lichen extracts in normal and diabetic rats.
abstract: Lichens can be used as a novel bioresource for natural antioxidants. However, there is need for further investigations to validate the lichens used in medicinal remedies. In this study, the effects of Cetraria islandica and Pseudevernia furfuracae lichen species in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetes were evaluated. Diabetic rats were treated with aqueous lichen extracts (250 and 500 mg/kg/day) for 2 weeks starting at 72 h after STZ injection. On the 14th day, animals were anesthetized, and then metabolic and biochemical parameters were evaluated between control and treatment groups. Pancreatic histology and β-cell mass were examined by hematoxylin and eosin and insulin immunohistochemistry stainings. Our findings revealed that these lichen species could be used safely in this dose range. In addition, C. islandica extracts showed prominent results compared to the doses of P. furfuracae extract for antioxidant capacity. However, the protectivity of C. islandica extract was inadequate against diabetes-induced pancreatic damages via forming oxidative stress. In conclusion, the usage of C. islandica might serve for early intervening in the risk reduction of type 1 diabetes.
authors: Department of Biology, Faculty of Art and Sciences, Artvin Coruh University, Artvin, Turkey suatcolak@yahoo.com.
authors: Suat
authors: S
authors: Çolak
authors: Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Atatürk University, Erzurum, Turkey.
authors: Fatime
authors: F
authors: Geyikoğlu
authors: Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Atatürk University, Erzurum, Turkey.
authors: Tülay Özhan
authors: TÖ
authors: Bakır
authors: Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Faculty of Science, Erzurum Technical University, Erzurum, Turkey.
authors: Hasan
authors: H
authors: Türkez
authors: Department of Biology, Kazim Karabekir Education Faculty, Ataturk University, Erzurum, Turkey.
authors: Ali
authors: A
authors: Aslan
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001688:Biological Products / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000032:analysis; D003922:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / Q000097:blood / Q000178:diet therapy* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D019587:Dietary Supplements / Q000009:adverse effects; D020834:Ethnopharmacology; D006943:Hyperglycemia / Q000517:prevention & control; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007328:Insulin / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism; D000078790:Insulin Secretion; D050417:Insulin-Secreting Cells / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D015227:Lipid Peroxidation; D008297:Male; D018384:Oxidative Stress; D000068837:Parmeliaceae / Q000737:chemistry*; D011897:Random Allocation; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D014421:Turkey
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D001688:Biological Products; D015415:Biomarkers; D001786:Blood Glucose; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents; D007328:Insulin
keywords: 
  Cetraria islandica
  ; 
  Pseudevernia furfuracae
  ; diabetes mellitus; histology; oxidative stress; pancreas