Possible protective effect of pansit-pansitan (Peperomia pellucida) against elevated blood glucose levels and abnormal cardiac and aortic histology in STX induced diabetic mice (Mus musculus)

Abstract

Peperomia pellucida is a medicinal herb that has been reported to have anti-diabetic effects. However, its cardioprotective effects have not yet been studied. This study aimed to determine if the methanolic crude extract of P. pellucida has a protective effect on elevated blood glucose levels and abnormal histology of the heart and aorta in streptozotocininduced diabetic mice. Thirty male ICR mice were divided into 6 groups: negative control (Con), diabetic mice treated with 150 mg/kg b.wt. Metformin (Met), diabetic mice treated with 200 mg/kg b.wt. P. pellucida (PPE 200), diabetic mice treated with 400 mg/kg b.wt. P. pellucida (PPE 400), diabetic mice treated with 800 mg/kg b.wt. P. pellucida (PPE 800), and untreated diabetic mice (STZ/HFD). Streptozotocin (STZ) was used in order to induce diabetes. Blood glucose and blood cholesterol levels were monitored throughout the experiment. The heart and aorta were harvested after 2 weeks of treatment and evaluated based on histopathological parameters such as intercellular fibrosis, fatty infiltration, endocardial thickening, cardiomyocyte degeneration, and changes in cardiomyocyte nuclei. Results showed that P. pellucida methanolic crude extract was ineffective at lowering elevated blood glucose levels, but it displayed potential protective effects on the diabetic heart and aorta. Histopathological analysis indicated that the P. pellucida methanolic crude extract was cardioprotective at 800 mg/kg b.wt.