Aqueous leaf extract of Passiflora alata Curtis promotes antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects and consequently preservation of NOD mice beta cells (non-obese diabetic)

• Published in: International immunopharmacology Vol. 35; pp. 127 - 136
• Main Authors: Figueiredo, D., Colomeu, Talita Cristina, Schumacher, Nayara Simon Gonzalez, Stivanin-Silva, L.G., Cazarin, Cinthia Baú Betim, Meletti, Laura Maria Molina, Fernandes, Luís Gustavo Romani, Prado, Marcelo Alexandre, Zollner, R.L.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier B.V 01-06-2016
• Subjects: Animals; Anti-Inflammatory Agents - therapeutic use; Anti-inflammatory effect; Antioxidants - therapeutic use; Cells, Cultured; Cytoprotection; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 - drug therapy; Female; Humans; Insulin - blood; Insulin-Secreting Cells - drug effects; Insulin-Secreting Cells - physiology; Lipid Peroxidation - drug effects; Lymphocyte Activation - drug effects; Mice; Mice, Inbred BALB C; Mice, Inbred NOD; NOD mice; Passiflora - immunology; Passiflora alata; Passiflora alata Curtis; Plant Extracts - therapeutic use; Plant Leaves; Type 1 diabetes mellitus; Anti-inflammatory effect; NOD mice; Passiflora alata Curtis; Type 1 diabetes mellitus
• ISSN: 1567-5769; 1878-1705
• DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2016.03.031

Passiflora alata Curtis (P. alata) leaves have anti-inflammatory properties; the present study aimed to investigate the anti-diabetogenic properties of P. alata aqueous leaf extract. HPLC analysis identified the phenolic compounds catechin, epicatechin and rutin. The aqueous extract was administered for 30weeks to non-obese diabetic (NOD) mice presenting a decrease of 28.6% in diabetes incidence and the number of inflammatory cells in pancreatic islets, when compared with the control group (water). The P. alata group presented an antioxidant effect and decreased lipid peroxidation in the serum of NOD mice. Increased numbers of insulin-positive cells were also observed in the pancreatic islets of the treated group. The diabetic group exhibited higher levels in the glucose tolerance test and glycemic index, in comparison to the P. alata-treated group and non-diabetic control BALB/c mice. In addition, the P. alata extract reduced the percentage and the proliferation index of NOD mice lymphocytes submitted to in vitro dose/response mitogenic stimulation assays. These results suggest that the aqueous extract of P. alata has anti-inflammatory properties, contributing to the protection of beta cells in pancreatic islets in NOD mice, and presents potential for use a supporting approach to treat type 1 diabetes.
•P. alata-treated NOD mice presented a decreased incidence of diabetes.•P. alata had an antioxidant effect and decreased lipid peroxidation.•P. alata had an anti-inflammatory effect and preserved beta cells in the islets.•P. alata administration decreased the proliferation of lymphocytes in vitro.