An immunohistochemical and biochemical evidences of pancreatic β-cell regeneration in type 2 diabetic rats after treated with Aegle marmelos leaf extract and Aegeline

The study aims to investigate the Immunohistochemical changes in pancreatic beta cells in fructose fed, streptozocin (STZ) induced Type 2 Diabetes (T2DM) rats treated with various doses of leaf extract of Aegle marmelos (AAM) and Aegeline (AG). 42 adult male wistar albino rats were separated into 7 groups, including Vehicle Control (VC); T2DM; T2DM + AAM 250 mg/kg; T2DM + AAM 500 mg/kg; T2DM + AG 20mg/kg; T2DM + AG 50 mg/kg and T2DM + AG 100 mg/kg. Experimental T2DM was created by a single dose of 40 mg/kg STZ injection intra-peritoneally along with 10% of fructose solution given orally for 30 days. Calculated dosages of AAM and AG were given with oral gavage for 30 days. Pancreas was harvested and processed. Slides were stained using hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) stains. Insulin expressing beta-cells was analyzed using immunohistochemistry. Fructose fed, STZ induced rats showed degenerative expressions in beta-cells. In STZ treated rats, AG reduced the blood glucose concentration and serum insulin levels at the maximum functional dose compared to AAM. The immunohistochemical information suggests that the AG at 100 mg/kg dose has the capability of making the dormant cells to reproduce to restore the lost cells of islets of Langerhans.