Protective effects of hydroalcoholic extract of Allium jesdianum on GLUT4 gene expression and pain modulation in a rat model of diabetes

Subject Areas : Plasma biomarkers

مریم رفیعی راد ^{1 *} , Mashaan Noman Soud ² , Zahra Shaibani ³

1 - 1. Department of Biology, Izeh Branch, Islamic Azad University, Izeh, Iran
2 - 2. Department of Biology, Shiraz Branch, Islamic Azad University, Shiraz, Iran
3 - Department of Biology, Payam Noor University, Tehran, Iran

Received: 2025-08-16 Accepted : 2025-09-24 Published : 2025-07-06

Keywords: Diabetes, pain, Allium jesdianum, Glucose, GLUT4,

Abstract :

Background & Aim: The GLUT4 gene is one of the most important glucose transporters expressed in insulin-sensitive tissues, including the liver. This study aimed to investigate the effect of Allium jesdianum extract on glucose levels, pain, and GLUT4 expression in diabetic rats.

 Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, 32 male Wistar rats (250–300 g) were divided into four groups: healthy control, untreated diabetic, diabetic treated with 250 mg/kg red root extract, and diabetic treated with 500 mg/kg red root extract. Diabetes was induced by intraperitoneal injection of STZ (60 mg/kg). Five days after injection, rats with glucose levels above 200 mg/dL were considered diabetic. The treatment groups received red root extract via gavage for 28 days. At the end of the experiment, glucose levels were measured, and GLUT4 gene expression in liver tissue was analyzed using Real-time PCR. Data were analyzed using two-way ANOVA and Tukey's post hoc test (P<0.05).

Results: STZ significantly increased glucose levels in diabetic rats. Treatment with red root extract at 250 mg/kg (P<0.01) and 500 mg/kg (P<0.001) significantly reduced glucose levels. Diabetic rats showed greater sensitivity to pain, but treatment with 500 mg/kg red root extract increased pain threshold. Administration of red root extract decreased GLUT4 gene expression in diabetic rats.

Conclusion: Allium jesdianum extract effectively lowers glucose levels and alleviates diabetic neuropathic pain in diabetic rats. Additionally, it appears to reduce GLUT4 gene expression in liver tissue, influencing glucose regulation mechanisms.

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