Zainab H. M. The Barberry Fruit Extract and Metformin as a protective effect on the embryonic development and kidney tissues functioning in a rat model of experimental gestational diabetes
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Abstract
This study was carried out to assess the effects of Berberis vulgaris fruit extract and metformin on maternal metabolic parameters, fetal growth and organ development under the condition of gestational diabetes in albino rats. Gestational diabetes has been induced with a high-fat/ high-sugar diet that was followed by administration of streptozotocin. Pregnant rats were divided into 5 groups: control, HFHS diet, HFHS + metformin, HFHS + barberry extract, and HFHS + metformin + barberry extract. Maternal body weight, fasting blood glucose and insulin resistance were measured as well as fetal growth and placental efficiency. Histological study of fetal kidneys and skeletal staining was carried out in order to assess organ development and skeletal development. Results showed that the HFHS diet caused maternal hyperglycemia, insensitivity to insulin, deficiency in placental growth and organ abnormality in fetuses. Both metformin and barberry extract alone improved maternal metabolic profiles and fetal outcomes, however, the combination of both had the greatest improvements including normalized glucose levels in maternal blood, improved fetal growth, and near complete normalization of kidney histology and skeletal ossification. These results indicate the synergistic effect of barberry extract and metformin for reducing the negative impact of gestational diabetes on fetal development.
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