Effectiveness of Hydroalcoholic Seed Extract of Securigera securidaca on Pancreatic Local Renin-Angiotensin System and Its Alternative Pathway in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Animal Model.

Background: Available data suggest inhibition of the pancreatic local-renin-angiotensin system (RAS) reduces tissue complications of diabetes. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effect of hydroalcoholic seed extract of Securigera securidaca (S. securidaca) (HESS) on the pancreatic local-RAS and its alternative pathway. Methods: Three doses of HESS were orally administered to three groups of diabetic male Wistar rats, and the results were compared with both diabetic and healthy control groups. After 35 days of treatment, the groups were assessed for the levels of pancreatic local-RAS components, including renin, angiotensinogen, ACE, and Ang II, as well as ACE2 and Ang-(1-7) in the alternative pathway. The effect of herbal medicine treatment on tissue damage status was investigated by evaluating tissue levels of oxidative stress, proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines, and through histopathological examination of the pancreas. Results: HESS showed a dose-dependent palliative effect on the tissue oxidative stress profile (P < 0.05) as well as the levels of pancreatic local-RAS components (P < 0.05), compared to diabetic control group. Considering the interrelationship between tissue oxidative stress and local-RAS activity, the moderating effect of HESS on this relationship could be attributed to the increase in total tissue antioxidant capacity (TAC) and pancreatic Ang-(1-7) concentration. Decrease in local-RAS activity was associated with decrease in the tissue levels of inflammatory cytokines (IL1, IL6, and TNFα) (P < 0.05) and increase in the levels of anti-inflammatory cytokine of IL-10 (P < 0.05). In addition, histological results were consistent with tissue biochemical results. Conclusions: Due to the reduction of local pancreatic RAS activity as well as oxidative stress and proinflammatory cytokines following treatment with HESS, S. securidaca seed can be proposed as a suitable herbal supplement in the drug-treatment of diabetes.

Evaluation of testicular glycogen storage, FGF21 and LDH expression and physiological parameters of sperm in hyperglycemic rats treated with hydroalcoholic extract of Securigera Securidaca seeds, and Glibenclamide.

Structural and physiological changes in sperm and semen parameters reduce fertility in diabetic patients. Securigera Securidaca (S. Securidaca) seed is a herbal medicine with hypoglycemic, antioxidant, and anti-hypertensive effects. The question now is whether this herbal medicine improves fertility in diabetic males. The study aimed to evaluate the effects of hydroalcoholic extract of S. Securidaca seeds (HESS), glibenclamide and a combination of both on fertility in hyperglycemic rats by comparing histological and some biochemical changes in testicular tissue and sperm parameters. The treatment protocol included administration of three doses of HESS and one dose of glibenclamide, as well as treatment with both in diabetic Wistar diabetic rats and comparison of the results with untrated groups. The quality of the testicular tissue as well as histometric parameters and spermatogenesis indices were evaluated during histopathological examination. Epididymal sperm analysis including sperm motility, viability, abnormalities, maturity, and chromatin structure were studied. The effect of HESS on the expression of LDH and FGF21 genes and tissue levels of glycogen, lactate, and total antioxidant capacity in testicular tissue was investigated and compared with glibenclamide. HESS improved sperm parameters in diabetic rats but showed little restorative effect on damaged testicular tissue. In this regard, glibenclamide was more effective than the highest dose of HESS and its combination with HESS enhanced its effectiveness so that histological tissue characteristics and sperm parameters were were comparable to those of healthy rats. The expression level of testicular FGF21 gene increased in diabetic rats, which intensified after treatment with HESS as well as glibenclamide. The combination of HESS and glibenclamide restored the expression level of testicular LDH gene, as well as tissue storage of glycogen, lactate and LDH activity, and serum testosterone to the levels near healthy control. S. Securidaca seeds can be considered as an effective supplement in combination with hypoglycemic drugs to prevent infertility complications in diabetes.