Comparative Assessment of Portulaca oleracea, Omega-3 Fatty Acids, and Combination of Selenium plus Vitamin E on Histopathology of Pancreas in Diabetic Rats

Introduction: Antidiabetic effects of Portulaca oleracea (PO) plant, omega-3 and combination of Selenium and Vitamin E have been reported which could compensate defective insulin release and enhance antioxidant level. The purpose of the present study was comparative of serum glucose level and histopathological effects on PO, Omega-3 and combination of Selenium and Vitamin E in pancreas of adult male diabetic rats.Materials and methods: 96 adults male Wistar rats, weighing approximately 220 g were used. The rats divided into four groups with 4 replicates for each group accidently. The rats were diabetic via single  Injection of  streptozotocin solution (60 mg/kg, IP injection). The groups contained the control group of diabetic rats, which received the standard ration daily, the second group of diabetic rats were fed standard ration plus Portulaca oleracea extract (1.5 mg/kg/day/orally) , the third group of diabetic rats were fed standard ration plus omega 3 (500 mg/kg/day/orally), the fourth group of diabetic rats were fed standard ration plus Vitamin E (400 iu/kg/day/orally) and Selenium (0.5 mg/kg/day/orally) for a period of 14 days. At the end of the study, the samples were taken for histopathological investigation of pancreas and serum glucose levels. The mean diameter of pancreatic islets and percentage of beta and alpha cells were calculated in all groups.Results: The percentage of alpha cells in treatment groups were higher than the control group. The percentage of beta cells in the third group was higher than the fourth group and control group. The mean diameter of pancreatic islets in omega-3 treated rats was higher than other groups. The insulin level increased in treated rats in comparison with the rats were not treated significantly.Conclusion: Diabetic male rats treated with omega-3 showed more positive effects on pancreatic  islets and blood glucose compared to other treatment groups.