title: Ellagic acid in Emblica officinalis exerts anti-diabetic activity through the action on β-cells of pancreas.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The present study was undertaken to explore the possible anti-diabetic mechanism(s) of Emblica officinalis (EO) and its active constituent, ellagic acid (EA), in vitro and in vivo.
  
  
  METHODS
  Neonatal streptozotocin-induced non-obese type 2 diabetic rats were treated with a methanolic extract of EO (250 or 500 mg/kg) for 28 days, and blood glucose, serum insulin, and plasma antioxidant status were measured. Insulin and glucagon immunostaining and morphometry were performed in pancreatic section, and liver TBARS and GSH levels were measured. Additionally, EA was tested for glucose-stimulated insulin secretion and glucose tolerance test.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Treatment with EO extract resulted in a significant decrease in the fasting blood glucose in a dose- and time-dependent manner in the diabetic rats. It significantly increased serum insulin in the diabetic rats in a dose-dependent manner. Insulin-to-glucose ratio was also increased by EO treatment. Immunostaining of pancreas showed that EO250increased β-cell size, but EO500increased β-cells number in diabetic rats. EO significantly increased plasma total antioxidants and liver GSH and decreased liver TBARS. EA stimulated glucose-stimulated insulin secretion from isolated islets and decreased glucose intolerance in diabetic rats.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Ellagic acid in EO exerts anti-diabetic activity through the action on β-cells of pancreas that stimulates insulin secretion and decreases glucose intolerance.
authors.affiliation: Dr. Panjwani Center for Molecular Medicine and Drug Research, International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences, University of Karachi, Karachi, 75270, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Noor
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Fatima
authors.affiliation: Dr. Panjwani Center for Molecular Medicine and Drug Research, International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences, University of Karachi, Karachi, 75270, Pakistan. hafizpcmd@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Rahman M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Hafizur
authors.affiliation: Dr. Panjwani Center for Molecular Medicine and Drug Research, International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences, University of Karachi, Karachi, 75270, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Abdul
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hameed
authors.affiliation: Industrial Analytical Center, H.E.J. Research Institute of Chemistry, International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences, University of Karachi, Karachi, 75270, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Shakil
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ahmed
authors.affiliation: Industrial Analytical Center, H.E.J. Research Institute of Chemistry, International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences, University of Karachi, Karachi, 75270, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Maliha
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nisar
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Science, Institute of Biological Sciences, University of Malaya, 50603, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
authors.forename: Nurul
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Kabir
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000032:analysis; D003921:Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental / Q000188:drug therapy*; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004610:Ellagic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005638:Fruit / Q000737:chemistry; D005934:Glucagon / Q000032:analysis; D005978:Glutathione / Q000032:analysis; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents; D007328:Insulin / Q000032:analysis / Q000097:blood; D050417:Insulin-Secreting Cells / Q000737:chemistry / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects*; D008099:Liver / Q000737:chemistry / Q000187:drug effects; D029842:Phyllanthus emblica / Q000737:chemistry*; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000008:administration & dosage; D051381:Rats; D017392:Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D001786:Blood Glucose; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents; D007328:Insulin; D010936:Plant Extracts; D017392:Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances; D004610:Ellagic Acid; D005934:Glucagon; D005978:Glutathione
keywords: Antioxidant; Ellagic acid; Emblica officinalis; Insulin secretion; Non-obese type 2 diabetes; β-Cell function