# The Protective Effect of Marigold Hydroalcoholic Extract in STZ-Induced Diabetic Rats: Evaluation of Cardiac and Pancreatic Biomarkers in the Serum

Authors: Esmaeel Ebrahimi; Saeed Shirali; Rahman Talaei
Journal: Journal of Botany
 (2016)

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## Abstract

Diabetes mellitus is the most common endocrine disorder worldwide and it is usually along with complications such as retinopathy, neuropathy, nephropathy, and cardiovascular disease. The prevalence of diabetes is increasing and its treatment has created concerns in society. The use of herbal medicine can be helpful in the management of diabetes mellitus. The aim of this study was to investigate the protective effect of marigold hydroalcoholic extract under diabetes condition. A total of 36 male Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups: normal control group, diabetic control group, and groups treated with 250 or 500 mg/kg hydroalcoholic extract of marigold flower during four weeks. At the end of the study, the rats were anesthetized with ketamine/xylazine, and sampling was performed through cardiac puncture. The results showed that treatment with marigold improved body weight. In addition, we determined that marigold normalized the level of CK-MB, total CK, amylase, and lipase in a dose-dependent manner. Probably these effects resulted from antioxidant property of marigold; thus we suggest that marigold flower can be useful for reduction of diabetes complication.


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## Body

## 1. Introduction

Heredity and environmental factors have an important role in diabetes. The disease is characterized by raised blood sugar levels due to the defects in insulin secretion or action [1, 2]. Polyuria, polydipsia, and polyphagia are the symptoms of diabetes and hyperglycemia longer in diabetic condition leads to cardiovascular disease, retinopathy, and nerve disorders [1, 2]. According to the latest survey in 219 countries, among people egad 20 to 79 years, 382 million people have diabetes mellitus and it is estimated that this number will reach 592 million in 2035 [3].One of the disorders that occurs in diabetes is pancreatic exocrine dysfunction; studies have shown that insulin leads to reduction of lipase and amylase in an animal model of diabetes [4]. Diabetic ketoacidosis can lead to increased serum amylase; in a study it was shown that 10% to 15% cases of ketoacidosis resulted in acute pancreatitis and increase in serum amylase [5]. However, currently the main and effective treatment for diabetes mellitus is the use of insulin and hypoglycemic agents, but these compounds have numerous adverse effects such as increased fat stores, lipoatrophy (atrophy of fat tissue at the site of injection), and hypoglycemic shock and likely do not have efficacy on the side effects of diabetes [6].Compounds isolated from plants are used for the prevention and treatment of some diseases such as diabetes [7]. Although medicinal plants and their derivatives are used traditionally in the treatment of diabetes and its complications, credible evidence has not been found regarding the effectiveness of many of them [8]. Medicinal plants like synthetic drugs may have unwanted side effects and make irreparable tissue damage [9].Marigold (Calendula officinalis L.) belongs to the family of Asteraceae. It is similar to sunflowers and while it grows as native in the Middle East, it is planted as an ornamental plant in most parts of the world [10, 11]. Different species of this herb have compounds such as phenolics, terpenoids, tocopherols, carotenoids, quinones, coumarins, and volatile oil and benefit therapeutic effects from many of them have been reported [12, 13]. Amongst the therapeutic properties of marigold anti-inflammatory effect, pain relief, and wound healing can be noted; this herb is also used to treat disorders of the gastrointestinal tract, such as duodenal ulcer and gastric ulcer [14]. In addition, this plant has anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antifungal, anticancer, and antioxidant properties [13]. Previous studies have shown that the methanolic extract of marigold flower and its isolated 1-butanol extract along with its hydroalcoholic leaf extract have hypoglycemic effects [15, 16]. In addition, previous studies have reported the antioxidant property of in vitro and in vivo extracts obtained from this plant [17, 18]. For example, its hydroalcoholic extract inhibited DPPH (82.58%) under in vitro conditions. Probably the antioxidant property of marigold is due to its phenolic compounds [19]. In previous studies the therapeutic effects of these compounds (phenol) such as antioxidant, anticancer, and anti-inflammatory effects have been demonstrated [20].Considering that diabetes is associated with impaired pancreatic function, in this study we investigated the effects hydroalcoholic extract of marigold flower on serum level creatine kinase-MB (CK-MB), total CK, lipase, and amylase in STZ-induced diabetic rats. This study is also in line with our recent studies on diabetes complications, including insulin resistance [21], dyslipidemia [22], protein glycation [23], trace element changes [24], peroxidane/antioxidane balance [25], and the mechanisms of plant ingredients in the treatment of diabetes mellitus [26].


## 2. Material and Method

### 2.1. Preparation of Hydroalcoholic Extract

Marigold flowers were prepared from Ahvaz city, southwest of Iran, during October 2014. Hydroalcoholic extract of marigold flower was obtained by maceration method [27]. At first flowers of marigold were completely dried in the shade and subsequently with grinder were chopped. Prepared powder was soaked in 70% ethanol-30% water for 72 h. In the next stage, was fully concentrated by rotary machine and then obtained extract of hydroalcoholic marigold flower with putting in freezer dryer.


### 2.2. Animals

36 male adult Wistar rats (210±9 gr) were purchased from the research center and experimental animal house of Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences. In order to comply with the experimental condition, the animals were placed in the environment one week before the study start. The animals were housed in standard cages at room ambient temperature (22°–25°C) and humidity (45–50%) along with 12/12 h light/dark cycle during experiment course. They were fed standard rat chow with water freely accessible.


### 2.3. Experimental Diabetes Induction

Diabetes was induced through intraperitoneal injection (IP) of streptozotocin (Sigma Aldrich, St Louis, MO, USA), at a dose of 60 mg/kg, dissolved in normal saline. The symptoms such as polydipsia and polyuria after 72 h appeared. Then blood glucose was measured through sampling from the tail vein with a glucometer (EasyGluco Blood Glucose Meter-2657A). Diabetic animals were considered with serum glucose above 250 mg/dL, while normal nondiabetic animals were considered with serum glucose at 108–137 mg/dL range [21].


### 2.4. Experimental Procedure

Thirty-six male Wistar rats were categorized into four groups (n=9): Group 1: control rats, which received only normal saline; Group 2: the diabetic rats which only received normal saline; Group 3: diabetic rats, which were treated with 250 mg/kg hydroalcoholic extract ofC. officinalis L. flower; and Group 4: diabetic rats, which were treated with 500 mg/kg hydroalcoholic extract of L. flower. The different concentrations of the extract (250 or 500 mg/kg) were orally administered by gavage at a certain time of day during 4 weeks.


### 2.5. Biochemical Analysis

At the end of study course (4 weeks), the animals were anesthetized with ketamine and xylazine followed by sampling performed through cardiac puncture with sterile syringe. The blood samples were centrifuged (3500 RPM, 5 min); then serums were separated and stored in −20°C. For measurement of total CK, CK-MB, amylase, and lipase in serum, we used commercial kits (Pars Azmoon, Tehran, Iran) by automatic analyzer (Biotechnica BT-3000 Plus Chemistry Analyzer, Italy).


### 2.6. Statistics

All results are presented as mean ± SEM. The difference among mean values in all groups was assessed by one-way ANOVA followed by LSD test using SPSS software version 16.0.p value < 0.05 as significantly different was considered.


## 2.1. Preparation of Hydroalcoholic Extract

Marigold flowers were prepared from Ahvaz city, southwest of Iran, during October 2014. Hydroalcoholic extract of marigold flower was obtained by maceration method [27]. At first flowers of marigold were completely dried in the shade and subsequently with grinder were chopped. Prepared powder was soaked in 70% ethanol-30% water for 72 h. In the next stage, was fully concentrated by rotary machine and then obtained extract of hydroalcoholic marigold flower with putting in freezer dryer.


## 2.2. Animals

36 male adult Wistar rats (210±9 gr) were purchased from the research center and experimental animal house of Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences. In order to comply with the experimental condition, the animals were placed in the environment one week before the study start. The animals were housed in standard cages at room ambient temperature (22°–25°C) and humidity (45–50%) along with 12/12 h light/dark cycle during experiment course. They were fed standard rat chow with water freely accessible.


## 2.3. Experimental Diabetes Induction

Diabetes was induced through intraperitoneal injection (IP) of streptozotocin (Sigma Aldrich, St Louis, MO, USA), at a dose of 60 mg/kg, dissolved in normal saline. The symptoms such as polydipsia and polyuria after 72 h appeared. Then blood glucose was measured through sampling from the tail vein with a glucometer (EasyGluco Blood Glucose Meter-2657A). Diabetic animals were considered with serum glucose above 250 mg/dL, while normal nondiabetic animals were considered with serum glucose at 108–137 mg/dL range [21].


## 2.4. Experimental Procedure

Thirty-six male Wistar rats were categorized into four groups (n=9): Group 1: control rats, which received only normal saline; Group 2: the diabetic rats which only received normal saline; Group 3: diabetic rats, which were treated with 250 mg/kg hydroalcoholic extract ofC. officinalis L. flower; and Group 4: diabetic rats, which were treated with 500 mg/kg hydroalcoholic extract of L. flower. The different concentrations of the extract (250 or 500 mg/kg) were orally administered by gavage at a certain time of day during 4 weeks.


## 2.5. Biochemical Analysis

At the end of study course (4 weeks), the animals were anesthetized with ketamine and xylazine followed by sampling performed through cardiac puncture with sterile syringe. The blood samples were centrifuged (3500 RPM, 5 min); then serums were separated and stored in −20°C. For measurement of total CK, CK-MB, amylase, and lipase in serum, we used commercial kits (Pars Azmoon, Tehran, Iran) by automatic analyzer (Biotechnica BT-3000 Plus Chemistry Analyzer, Italy).


## 2.6. Statistics

All results are presented as mean ± SEM. The difference among mean values in all groups was assessed by one-way ANOVA followed by LSD test using SPSS software version 16.0.p value < 0.05 as significantly different was considered.


## 3. Results

### 3.1. Body Weight

As shown in Table1, the mean value of body weight was significantly decreased in STZ-induced diabetic rats compared to the control group after 4 weeks (p≤0.05). It was also observed that, in the animals treated with marigold hydroalcoholic extract, the body weight in dose-dependent manner toward normal level was improved (about 91.7% and 95.9% for groups treated by 250 and 500 mg/kg hydroalcoholic extract, resp.).Table 1
Effect of hydroalcoholic flower extract of marigold on body weight in control and experimental group.
Group (N=9)
Mean body weight (gr)
Initial weight
Final weight
NC
231.43 ± 51.065
234.44 ± 44.472
DC
199.23 ± 67.210
177.55 ± 43.946∗
T250
223.14 ± 16.325
215.00 ± 34.550∗∗
T500
229.65 ± 58.419
225.11 ± 22.418∗∗
NC:  normal control group; DC: diabetic control group; T250: diabetic rat treated with 250 mg/kg extract; T500: diabetic rat treated with 500 mg/kg extract; values are presented as mean ± SD;n=9 in each group. One-way ANOVA followed by LSD test (p<0.05). ∗Significant difference with NC. ∗∗Significant difference with DC.


### 3.2. Cardiac Biomarkers

Table2 shows level of cardiac biomarkers in experimental and control groups after 28 days’ treatment. The results were determined such that they had significant difference at the end of study. In diabetic rats, total creatine kinase (total CK) level was significantly higher than other groups (p≤0.05), but treatment with 250 mg/kg extract led to its significant decrease compared to normal rats (54.5%) (p≤0.05). In addition, the best result was showed in the group treated with 500 mg/kg hydroalcoholic extract, in which approximately 43.8% reduction was found. We also measured the level of serum creatine kinase-MB (CK-MB) activity in all groups at the end of study time course. Analyses of results were determined such that its level was significantly incremented in diabetic group compared to normal rats (p≤0.05). Treatment with hydroalcoholic extract of marigold flower (250 or 500 mg/kg for 4 weeks) resulted in dramatic changes during period of study (p≤0.05). In addition, a dose-dependent manner was determined, so that, in the group treated by 500 mg/kg extract, the level of creatine kinase-MB was lower than that in the animals treated by 250 mg/kg extract.Table 2
Effect of hydroalcoholic extract of marigold flower on cardiac biomarkers in different groups after 28 days’ treatment.
Group (N=9)
Mean of cardiac biomarkers
Total CK (U/L)
CK-MB (U/L)
NC
63.57 ± 3.713
323.04 ± 6.777
DC
170.81 ± 17.541∗
469.95 ± 2.402∗
T250
93.13 ± 2.854∗∗
409.57 ± 10.855∗∗
T500
74.90 ± 3.810∗∗
402.64 ± 6.520∗∗
NC:  normal control group; DC: diabetic control group; T250: diabetic rat treated with 250 mg/kg extract; T500: diabetic rat treated with 500 mg/kg extract; values are presented as mean ± SD;n=9 in each group. One-way ANOVA followed by LSD test (p<0.05). ∗Significant difference with NC. ∗∗Significant difference with DC.


### 3.3. Pancreatic Biomarkers

We also measured amylase and lipase activity in the serum for determination of pancreas function during diabetes condition. As shown in Table3, induction of diabetes was associated with significant difference in the serum level of pancreatic biomarkers. In the diabetic animals amylase and lipase levels were lower and higher than control group, respectively, while treatment with 250 mg/kg extract resulted in increase of amylase level along with decrease of lipase level after 28 days. In addition, we also observed raised amylase level accompanied with significant reduction of lipase level in the group treated with 500 mg/kg hydroalcoholic extract compared to control group (p≤0.05).Table 3
Effect of hydroalcoholic flower extract of marigold on serum activity of amylase and lipase in control and experimental group after 4 weeks’ treatment.
Group (N=9)
Mean of pancreatic biomarkers
Amylase (U/dL)
Lipase (U/L)
NC
15.81 ± 1.187
153.08 ± 5.251
DC
13.63 ± 1.442∗
432.21 ± 13.295∗
T250
14.08 ± 0.593
264.46 ± 5.479∗∗
T500
14.33 ± 0.698
233.94 ± 68.764∗∗
NC:  normal control group; DC: diabetic control group; T250: diabetic rat treated with 250 mg/kg extract; T500: diabetic rat treated with 500 mg/kg extract; values are presented as mean ± SD;n=9 in each group. One-way ANOVA followed by LSD test (p<0.05). ∗Significant difference with NC. ∗∗Significant difference with DC.


## 3.1. Body Weight

As shown in Table1, the mean value of body weight was significantly decreased in STZ-induced diabetic rats compared to the control group after 4 weeks (p≤0.05). It was also observed that, in the animals treated with marigold hydroalcoholic extract, the body weight in dose-dependent manner toward normal level was improved (about 91.7% and 95.9% for groups treated by 250 and 500 mg/kg hydroalcoholic extract, resp.).Table 1
Effect of hydroalcoholic flower extract of marigold on body weight in control and experimental group.
Group (N=9)
Mean body weight (gr)
Initial weight
Final weight
NC
231.43 ± 51.065
234.44 ± 44.472
DC
199.23 ± 67.210
177.55 ± 43.946∗
T250
223.14 ± 16.325
215.00 ± 34.550∗∗
T500
229.65 ± 58.419
225.11 ± 22.418∗∗
NC:  normal control group; DC: diabetic control group; T250: diabetic rat treated with 250 mg/kg extract; T500: diabetic rat treated with 500 mg/kg extract; values are presented as mean ± SD;n=9 in each group. One-way ANOVA followed by LSD test (p<0.05). ∗Significant difference with NC. ∗∗Significant difference with DC.


## 3.2. Cardiac Biomarkers

Table2 shows level of cardiac biomarkers in experimental and control groups after 28 days’ treatment. The results were determined such that they had significant difference at the end of study. In diabetic rats, total creatine kinase (total CK) level was significantly higher than other groups (p≤0.05), but treatment with 250 mg/kg extract led to its significant decrease compared to normal rats (54.5%) (p≤0.05). In addition, the best result was showed in the group treated with 500 mg/kg hydroalcoholic extract, in which approximately 43.8% reduction was found. We also measured the level of serum creatine kinase-MB (CK-MB) activity in all groups at the end of study time course. Analyses of results were determined such that its level was significantly incremented in diabetic group compared to normal rats (p≤0.05). Treatment with hydroalcoholic extract of marigold flower (250 or 500 mg/kg for 4 weeks) resulted in dramatic changes during period of study (p≤0.05). In addition, a dose-dependent manner was determined, so that, in the group treated by 500 mg/kg extract, the level of creatine kinase-MB was lower than that in the animals treated by 250 mg/kg extract.Table 2
Effect of hydroalcoholic extract of marigold flower on cardiac biomarkers in different groups after 28 days’ treatment.
Group (N=9)
Mean of cardiac biomarkers
Total CK (U/L)
CK-MB (U/L)
NC
63.57 ± 3.713
323.04 ± 6.777
DC
170.81 ± 17.541∗
469.95 ± 2.402∗
T250
93.13 ± 2.854∗∗
409.57 ± 10.855∗∗
T500
74.90 ± 3.810∗∗
402.64 ± 6.520∗∗
NC:  normal control group; DC: diabetic control group; T250: diabetic rat treated with 250 mg/kg extract; T500: diabetic rat treated with 500 mg/kg extract; values are presented as mean ± SD;n=9 in each group. One-way ANOVA followed by LSD test (p<0.05). ∗Significant difference with NC. ∗∗Significant difference with DC.


## 3.3. Pancreatic Biomarkers

We also measured amylase and lipase activity in the serum for determination of pancreas function during diabetes condition. As shown in Table3, induction of diabetes was associated with significant difference in the serum level of pancreatic biomarkers. In the diabetic animals amylase and lipase levels were lower and higher than control group, respectively, while treatment with 250 mg/kg extract resulted in increase of amylase level along with decrease of lipase level after 28 days. In addition, we also observed raised amylase level accompanied with significant reduction of lipase level in the group treated with 500 mg/kg hydroalcoholic extract compared to control group (p≤0.05).Table 3
Effect of hydroalcoholic flower extract of marigold on serum activity of amylase and lipase in control and experimental group after 4 weeks’ treatment.
Group (N=9)
Mean of pancreatic biomarkers
Amylase (U/dL)
Lipase (U/L)
NC
15.81 ± 1.187
153.08 ± 5.251
DC
13.63 ± 1.442∗
432.21 ± 13.295∗
T250
14.08 ± 0.593
264.46 ± 5.479∗∗
T500
14.33 ± 0.698
233.94 ± 68.764∗∗
NC:  normal control group; DC: diabetic control group; T250: diabetic rat treated with 250 mg/kg extract; T500: diabetic rat treated with 500 mg/kg extract; values are presented as mean ± SD;n=9 in each group. One-way ANOVA followed by LSD test (p<0.05). ∗Significant difference with NC. ∗∗Significant difference with DC.


## 4. Discussion

In this study, we investigated the protective effects of hydroalcoholic extract of marigold flower under diabetic condition during 4 weeks. Deficiency of insulin during diabetes decreases synthesis of proteins and is followed by occurrence of catabolism of structure proteins and ultimately resulted in body weight loss [28–30]. The results showed that mean value of body weight was dramatically decreased in the diabetic rats without treatment after 4 weeks while body weight was normalized by treatment with hydroalcoholic extract of marigold flower (205 and 500 mg/kg i.p.) at the end of study time course (Table 1).As oxidative stress resulted from hyperglycemia, therefore people with diabetes encounter dysfunctions of tissue [31, 32]. The destruction of beta cells and reduction of insulin production make diabetes. STZ is a most common ingredient that is used for developing diabetes and it has been showed that it leads to oxidative stress by increase of ROS and the development of diabetes complications [32–34]. Yoshikawa et al, 2001, examined the administration of 1000 mg/kg of methanol extract ofCalendula officinalis and 500 mg/kg n-butanol extract isolated from its significantly reduced blood glucose in glucose-loaded rats [15]. In addition, it has been showed that hydroalcoholic extract obtained from the leaves of marigold significantly reduced blood glucose, cholesterol, and phospholipids in the diabetic rats with alloxan [16].Under diabetes condition, increased blood sugar by changes in gene expression leads to myocardial cell death; it has also been observed that the main reason for changes is oxidant-antioxidant imbalance [35]. Examination of creatine kinase activity in different tissues suggests that during diabetes it reduced its activity in the heart, brain, and extensor digitorum longus. Indeed, diabetes leads to change in the function of creatine kinase and ultimately impairment in energy metabolism [36]. In 1999, Spindler and colleagues also confirmed the activity reduction of creatine kinase in diabetic cardiomyopathy due to energy shortage [37]. As we found that body weight loss occurred during diabetes induction, thus lack of energy resulted in complication such as myocardial cell death and releasing cardiac biomarker into blood circulation. In addition, our results showed that marigold improved the level of creatine kinase-MB and total creatine kinase as cardiac biomarkers under diabetes condition. Probably it is effective for reduction of side effects during diabetes (Table 2). Previous studies confirmed the presence of flavonoids such as quercetin, isoquercetin, isorhamnetin, narcissin, rutin, and calendoflavobioside [38–40]. Those are also responsible for antioxidant activity in this herb, so that the extracts made from flower and petal of marigold through high antioxidant activity prevented lipid proxidation [13]. In addition, another reason for its antioxidant activity is presence of carotenoids [41]. The use of antioxidants can reduce the side effects of diabetes such as cardiovascular problems; for example, in a study it was examined that administration of 100 mg/kgGinkgo biloba extract raised the activity of creatine kinase in diabetic rats with streptozotocin [42]. Also administration of green tea for 4 weeks led to a reduction of serum creatine kinase to normal level under conditions of diabetes [43]. A research group investigated the effect of fraction 1 of acetone extractCassia glauca leaf on STZ-induced diabetic rats. The results showed that it had hypoglycemic effects accompanied by improvement in enzymes level of ALT, AST, and CK [44]. Moreover, in other conditions such as exercise training that is effective in the oxidant-antioxidant balance it was showed that it could lead to improvement of total creatine kinase (CK), CK-MM, and CK-MB enzymes activities in the heart of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats [45, 46].After injection of STZ, changes occur in pancreatic exocrine secretion, so that, five days after injection, the serum level of lipase increases, while insulin injection leads to moderation of change; thus the lack of insulin is effective in activity of lipolytic enzymes gastrointestinal tract [47]. In addition, several studies showed that, in models of diabetes with failure for production or resistance of insulin, the activity of amylase in acinar cells was decreased, but lipase activity in pancreatic acinar cell was increased. The reductions of amylase expression along with increment of lipase expression were results that were also confirmed [48–53]. In several studies it has been reported that insulin deficiency resulted in pancreatic exocrine dysfunction [53–56]. In our examination, the serum levels of amylase and lipase as pancreatic biomarkers in the groups treated with hydroalcoholic flower extract of marigold dramatically normalized compared to normal control group (Table 3). Perhaps extract protects from pancreas (special beta cells) against toxicity induced by STZ, and followed by insulin level and energy shortage normalizes and ultimately resulted in improvement of body weight loss and releasing reduction of pancreatic biomarkers. In fact, we report that pancreatic exocrine-endocrine relationship is very important in pathology diabetes. It is seems that marigold has benefit effect for reduction of side effect in diabetes condition.Considering that previous studies have proved antioxidant property of marigold, thus probably these effects are due to reduction level of oxidant and protection of the pancreas [13, 41, 57]. In relation to other herbs with antioxidant property it has been observed that extracts of kernel and husk neem lead to lower level of increased creatine kinase in diabetic rats [32]. Study Ohaeri, 2001, also investigated effect of garlic oil on diabetic rats with STZ. The results confirmed that there was decreased level of serum amylase under diabetes condition [58].


## 5. Conclusion

According to this study, we conclude that pancreatic dysfunction resulted in changes of serum level of cardiac and pancreatic biomarkers. In addition, marigold can reduce the side effects of diabetes by normalization of creatine kinase (CK-MB and total CK), amylase, and lipase in the diabetic rats, but further studies need to be performed for better understanding of marigold effects on diabetes.



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