Sekikaic acid modulates pancreatic β-cells in streptozotocin-induced type 2 diabetic rats by inhibiting digestive enzymes.

The antioxidant and antidiabetic effects of sekikaic acid (SA) were investigated using in vitro and in vivo study models. SA possessed good antioxidant activity as assessed through hydroxyl radicals (IC50 value = 41.5 µg/mL) and ferric ions assay (IC50 value = 42.0 µg/mL). SA exhibited stronger α-glucosidase and α-amylase inhibition than that of aldose-reductase and protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B. The hypoglycemic activity of SA caused significant reduction of plasma glucose levels in normal and glucose loaded rats. The anti-hyperglycemic activity of SA (2 mg/Kg body weight) was indicated by the reduction of blood glucose by 44.17 ± 3.78% in the third week in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. The hypolipidaemic action of SA was evident by the significant decrease in the levels of low-density lipoprotein, total cholesterol, and total glycerides. Histologically, the pancreas of the treated groups showed significant regeneration of the pancreatic β-cells compared to diabetic control, possibly due to the inhibition of digestive enzymes.