Effect of leaf extract of Smallanthus sonchifolius (Yacon) on metabolic changes in skeletal muscle of rats with experimental Diabetes Mellitus

Abstract

Diabetes mellitus type 1 (DM1) is a metabolic disorder characterized by inadequate secretion of endogenous insulin, accompanied by chronic and persistent hyperglycemia. In recent years there has been increasing interest in the use of natural products for pharmacological purposes. Particularly in the case of T1DM, several studies have reported that many plant extracts are effective in reducing blood glucose by stimulating the release of insulin - by stimulating pancreatic mechanisms - causing fewer side effects and lower costs than anti usual anti-diabetogenic agents. Yacon is a native plant of the Cordillera de Andres, a species of the Asteraceae family, botanical name Smallanthus sonchifolius. Phytochemical studies have shown that the leaves and stems of yacon are rich in proteins and phenolic compounds such as caffeine, chlorogenic acid, ferulic acid, and flavonoids such as quercetin. A number of current studies evaluated the effect of crude extracts of leaves and roots of yacon, obtained in different ways, on glycemia of diabetic and non-diabetic animals, reporting significant decrease in blood glucose levels by stimulating pancreatic mechanisms, regeneration or protection of ² cells that were partially destroyed using streptozotocin to induce experimental DM1, potentiation of insulin secretion and likely increased peripheral utilization of glucose. Accordingly, it is proposed to elucidate the mechanisms involved in this activity, mainly on the metabolism of the skeletal muscle of diabetic conditions. 48 rats, Wistar race, with ± 250g body weight will be used. The animals will be distributed in the experimental groups (n=12): C = control rats that receive only commercial feed and water; C+Y = control rats that receive commercial feed, water and yacon extract; DM = diabetic rats that receive commercial feed and water; DM+Y = diabetic rats that receive commercial feed, water and yacon extract. The experimental DM is induced by the intraperitoneal administration of streptozotocin (STZ) in a single dose, at a concentration of 60 mg/kg body weight. The animals in groups C+Y and DM+Y will receive extract of yacon in the selected concentration of 100mg/kg/Day, for 30 days. At the end of the experimental period nutritional parameters, and serum parameters: glucose, lipid profile, insulin and total antioxidant capacity will be evaluated. For tissue analyzes of the skeletal muscle will be assessed the expression of PGC-1Q e GLUT4 genes. (AU)