Abstract
Introduction The objective of the present study was to investigate the in vitro inhibitory effect
of the Potentilla fulgens extract on amylase, α- and β-glucosidase, and lipase, as well as its effect on the
ultrastructure of the liver, of the kidneys, and of the eye tissues in alloxan-induced
diabetic mice. The present study was designed to get further insight regarding the
action of P. fulgens from what has been previously known and reported about this plant.
Materials and Methods Roots of P. fulgens were extracted with 10 volumes of aqueous-methanol solution (1:4), and the prepared
extract was used for in vitro inhibitory activity on amylase, α-glucosidase, β-glucosidase,
and lipase. Afterwards, the plant extract was intraperitoneally administered for alternated
days (250 mg/kg body weight) to diabetic mice for 4 weeks, and an ultrastructural
examination of the liver, the kidneys and the eye tissues was performed using a transmission
electron microscope (JEM-100 CX II, Jeol Ltd., Tokyo Japan).
Results The P. fulgens extract showed inhibitory activity against all the four enzymes (amylase, α- and
β-glucosidase, and lipase), with the highest percentage of inhibition (94.57% ± 0.16
at 1 mg/mL) being observed against α-glucosidase when compared with the standard.
The ultrastructural studies revealed a distortion in the structure of the nuclei and
of the mitochondria in the kidneys and liver tissues of diabetic mice. Distortion
of cell shape and disturbed orientation was observed in the eye lens of diabetic mice.
The P. fulgens extract reversed/protected/reduced the ultrastructural alteration observed in the
tissues (liver, kidney, and eye lens) of diabetic mice.
Conclusion The inhibitory effect of the P. fulgens extract against the aforementioned enzymes and its protective effect on the tissues
of diabetic mice against alloxan-induced diabetes add further insight into the antidiabetic
properties of this plant.
Keywords
amylase - α- and β-glucosidase - lipase - Potentilla fulgens - ultrastructural studies
