Protective effect of ginsenoside Rg1 on liver injury in rats with type 2 diabetes

ObjectiveTo study the protective effect of ginsenoside Rg1 on liver injury induced by type 2 diabetes in rats and to explore its possible mechanism.MethodsRat type 2 diabetes model was induced by high-fat diet and low-dose streptozotocin(HFD+STZ).The experimental rats were divided into a normal group,a model group and three groups with different dose of ginsenoside Rg1(2,4,and 8 mg/kg).Blood glucose was determined with glucometer.The content of alanine transaminase(ALT),asparate aminotransferase(AST),superoxide dismutase(SOD),and malondialdehyde(MDA)were measured with spectrophotometry.Liver pathological changes were observed with hematoxylin eosin(HE)staining.The content of tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α),and interleukin-6(IL-6)were determined with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA).ResultsCompared with the control group,the content of ALT(123±10.7 U/L),AST(138±13.8 U/L),TNF-α(54±2.8pg/mL),IL-6(168±12.5 pg/mL),and MDA(24.8±2.5 nmol/mg prot) were increased and the activity of SOD(65±7.9 U/mg prot) was decreased in model group.Compared with the model group,the content of ALT(58±8.0 U/L),AST(65±8.9 U/L),TNF-α(34±4.1 pg/mL),IL-6(83±10.4 pg/mL),and MDA(13.8±1.9 nmol/mg prot) were decreased and the activity of SOD(105±9.7 U/mg prot)was increased in ginsenoside Rg1(8 mg/kg)group.ConclusionGinsenoside Rg1 has protective effect on liver injury induced by type 2 diabetes and the effect is associated with anti-inflammatory and antioxidative effects of ginsenoside Rg1.