Tithonia diversifolia aqueous fraction plays a protective role against alloxan-induced diabetic mice via modulating GLUT2 expression.

• Tithonia diversifolia is used as used as traditional medicine for diabetes. • In vitro anti-diabetic effect of aqueous fraction of T. diversifolia was evaluated. • T. diversifolia fraction exerted hypoglycemic effect against alloxan-induced mice. • T. diversifolia fraction modulated the hepatic GLUT2 expressions of diabetic mice. • T. diversifolia fraction manage the diabetes via influencing hepatic GLUT2 pathway. Tithonia diversifolia , a well-known member of the sunflower family and is used as traditional medicine for the treatment of several diseases including diabetes. This study, therefore, evaluated the anti-diabetic effect of T. diversifolia aqueous fraction (TdF) in alloxan-induced diabetic mice through an investigation of glucose transporter 2 (GLUT2) expression. Alloxan-induced diabetic mice were treated with TdF 100, 200, and 300 mg/kg body weight (BW) and glibenclamide 60 mg/kg BW for a 30 days intervention study. Collected blood and liver samples of experimental animals were undertaken to analyze metabolic parameters, mRNA and protein expressions of GLUT2. Diabetic mice treated with TdF treatments were significantly (P<0.05) decreased blood glucose and increased insulin levels, which were correlated with the hepatic mRNA and protein expression of GLUT2. GLUT2 expressions were significantly increased in TdF-treated groups compared with normal control group. Results evidently demonstrate that TdF could be a beneficial dietary supplement for the treatment and management of diabetes via influencing GLUT2 pathway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of South African Journal of Botany is the property of Elsevier B.V. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)