Antihyperglycemic activity of verbenone and L-arginine in nicotinamide-streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice: in vitro and in vivo studies

Abstract

Abstract Background Natural products are utilized globally for the management of diseases such as diabetes mellitus. Carrot seeds are ethnobotanically used in the management of diabetes mellitus. This study investigated the in vitro and in vivo antihyperglycemic activities of verbenone and L-arginine, which are compounds found in carrot seed. Results Verbenone, L-arginine, and their ratios combination expressed significantly in vitro α-amylase inhibitory activity with IC 50 of 13.00, 12.69, and 13.30 µg/mL respectively compared with acarbose (IC 50 = 12.64 µg/mL) and significant in vitro α-glucosidases inhibitory activity with IC 50 of 29.01, 23.76 and 30.11 µg/mL respectively compared with acarbose (IC 50 = 16.80 µg/mL). Furthermore, the compounds improved glucose uptake in yeast cells and inhibited haemoglobin glycation in vitro. In the in vivo study, the compounds significantly reduced the levels of blood glucose, the levels of liver total cholesterol, and liver triacylglycerol, the calculated cardiovascular indices, whereas the level of plasma high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol was significantly elevated in all diabetic treated mice. Conclusion The data revealed the in vitro antidiabetic activity of verbenone and L-arginine. Also, the compounds ameliorated hyperglycemia, hyperlipidemia and other diabetic-induced biochemical alterations in NAD-STZ-induced diabetic mice model.