Effects of Alisma orientalis extract on blood glucose, lipid and oxidative stress of pregnant rat models with diabetes

doi:10.16352/j.issn.1001-6325.2025.11.1463

Abstract

Abstract: Objective To investigate the therapeutic effects and mechanisms of Alisma orientale extract(zexie) on gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) rats by regulating the miR-4417/TGF-β pathway. Methods GDM model rats were randomly divided into a diabetic group, low,medium,high-dose zexie group, insulin group, miR-NC group, miR-4417 mimic group, miR-4417 inhibitor group, and zexie+miR-4417 mimic+LY364947 group, with 12 rats in each group. Additionally, 12 normal pregnant rats served as the control group. Hematoxylin and eosin(HE) staining was used to evaluate pancreatic islet pathology. RT-qPCR and Western blot were employed to measure the mRNA and protein levels of various factors. Results Compared with the diabetic group, the glucose, lipid, oxidative stress indicators, and pancreatic islet pathological damage were significantly improved(P＜0.05) in the low, medium and high-dose zexie groups and the insulin group. The expression levels of miR-4417 and TGF-β mRNA were notably reduced(P＜0.05), with the most significant changes observed in the high-dose zexie group(P＜0.05). Compared with the miR-NC group, the TGF-β protein level was significantly increased(P＜0.05) in the miR-4417 mimic group and decreased(P＜0.05) in the miR-4417 inhibitor group. Compared with the diabetic group, the oxidative stress and reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation were significantly lower(P＜0.05) in the zexie, zexie+miR-4417 mimic, and zexie+miR-4417 mimic+LY364947 groups. Compared with the miR-4417 mimic group, the oxidative stress and ROS accumulation were significantly reduced(P＜0.05) in the zexie+miR-4417 mimic group. No significant differences were found between the zexie group and the zexie+miR-4417 mimic + LY364947 group. Conclusions Zexie can improve glucose and lipid levels, reduce insulin resistance, and control oxidative stress and damage in GDM rats, possibly through the regulation of the miR-4417/TGF-β pathway.

Key words: Alisma orientalis, gestational diabetes, TGF-β pathway, miR-4417

CLC Number:

R714.25

SONG Chunrui, LI Jing. Effects of Alisma orientalis extract on blood glucose, lipid and oxidative stress of pregnant rat models with diabetes[J]. Basic & Clinical Medicine, 2025, 45(11): 1463-1472.

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