Volume 33, Issue 160 (September & October 2025)                   J Adv Med Biomed Res 2025, 33(160): 216-228 | Back to browse issues page

Ethics code: ZUMS.REC.1394.36

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Abbaszadeh S, Alipour Rajabi F, Marjani M, Kamalinejad M, Eskandari M R, Andalib S, et al . Evaluation of the Antidiabetic Effects of Myrtus Communis L. Fruit in A Rat Model of Diabetes: Anti-hyperglycemic Activity Through Pancreatic β-islet Cells Regeneration and Insulin Secretion Enhancement. J Adv Med Biomed Res 2025; 33 (160) :216-228
URL: http://journal.zums.ac.ir/article-1-7792-en.html
Evaluation of the Antidiabetic Effects of Myrtus Communis L. Fruit in A Rat Model of Diabetes: Anti-hyperglycemic Activity Through Pancreatic β-islet Cells Regeneration and Insulin Secretion Enhancement
Samin Abbaszadeh1 , Fereshteh Alipour Rajabi2 , Mohadeseh Marjani2 , Mohammad Kamalinejad3 , Mohammad Reza Eskandari4 , Sina Andalib2 , Shohreh Mohebbi5 , Maryam Noubarani *6
1- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran
2- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Pharmacy, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, Iran
3- Faculty of Pharmacy, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
4- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Pharmacy, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, Iran & Zanjan Pharmaceutical Nanotechnology Research Center, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, Iran
5- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, Iran
6- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Pharmacy, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, Iran , noubaranim@zums.ac.ir
Abstract:   (475 Views)

Background & Objective:  Plant-based remedies have gained growing interest as effective options for managing diabetes and its associated complications. The purpose of this study was to assess the antiyperglycemic and protective properties of an aqueous extract from myrtle (Myrtus communis L.) fruit against the most prevalent diabetes-related complications in rats. This study provides a comprehensive assessment of the effects of myrtle fruit extract on diabetes-related complications, including liver and kidney dysfunction, as well as its potential role in pancreatic β-cell regeneration.
 Materials & Methods:  Streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats were treated with varying doses of M. communis L. fruit extract (low, medium, and high) over a period of 3 weeks. Control rats received either no treatment or were administered a standard antidiabetic drug. Key parameters, including oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), fasting blood glucose, two-hour postprandial glucose, insulin levels, lipid profile, and serum biomarkers of liver and kidney function, were measured. Histopathological analysis of the renal, liver, and pancreatic tissues were performed to assess tissue damage and regeneration.
Results:  The antihyperglycemic, hepatoprotective, and renoprotective activities of myrtle extract were investigated. Treatment with M. communis L. notably improved both short-term and long-term high blood sugar levels, reduced two-hour post-meal glucose levels, enhanced oral glucose tolerance (OGTT), and increased insulin levels in diabetic rats. Additionally, the extract demonstrated antihyperlipidemic effects and improved both the atherogenic index (AI) and the coronary artery risk index (CRI) in diabetic rats. Also, liver serum biomarkers and kidney dysfunction were attenuated by the extract in diabetic rats. Furthermore, histopathological examination of the liver, kidney, and pancreas confirmed that the corresponding pathological changes were significantly attenuated by myrtle in diabetic rats.
Conclusion:  The Current study demonstrates that M. communis L. fruit extract exhibits antihyperglycemic, antihyperlipidemic, hepatoprotective, and renoprotective properties in STZ-induced diabetic rats. These properties may be partly mediated by regenerative processes in the pancreas and increased insulin secretion. Nonetheless, more research is necessary to thoroughly recognize the underlying molecular mechanisms. Limitations of the research include the lack of long-term clinical validation and the need for mechanistic studies to define the role of β-cell regeneration better.

Keywords: Myrtus communis, pancreatic β-Cells, Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus, Hepatoprotective Agents, Antioxidants, Hypoglycemic Agents, Renal Insufficiency
     
Type of Study: Original Research Article | Subject: Pharmacology
Received: 2025/07/21 | Accepted: 2025/11/1 | Published: 2025/11/11
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