Jeng-Dong Hsu ^a, Chia-Chun Wu ^b, Chi-Nan Hung ^c, Chau-Jong Wang ^d,e,*, Hui-Pei Huang ^d,e,f,*

^a Department of Pathology, Chung-Shan Medical University and Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
^b Nephrology Division, Department of Internal Medicine, Chi Mei Medical Center, Tainan, Taiwan
^c Department of Holistic Wellness, Ming Dao University, Changhua, Taiwan
^d Institute of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
^e Clinical Laboratory, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
^f Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan

 

Myrciaria cauliflora is a functional food rich in anthocyanins, possessing antioxidative and anti-inflammatory properties. Our previous results demonstrated M. cauliflora extract (MCE) had beneficial effects in diabetic nephropathy (DN) and via the inhibition of Ras/PI3K/Akt and kidney fibrosis-related proteins. The purpose of this study was to assess the benefit of MCE in diabetes associated with kidney inflammation and glycemic regulation in streptozotocin–nicotinamide (STZ/NA)-induced diabetic mice. Compared with the untreated diabetic group, MCE significantly improved blood glucose and serum biochemical characteristic levels. Exposure to MCE increased antioxidative enzyme activity and diminished reactive oxygen synthesis. Mice receiving MCE supplementation had reduced intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP-1), colony stimulating factor 1 (CSF-1), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) levels compared to the untreated diabetic mice. Inflammatory and fibrotic related proteins such as collagen IV, fibronectin, Janus kinase (JAK), phosphorylated signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3), protein kinase C beta (PKC-β), and nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) were also inhibited by MCE treatment in STZ/NA mice. These results suggest that MCE may be used as a hypoglycemic agent and antioxidant in Type 2 diabetic mice.

 

Keywords: diabetic nephropathy, inflammation, Myrciaria cauliflora extract (MCE), oxidative stress