Abstract

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.