Background: Type 2 Diabetic complications are one of the most common problems in the society. Increased glucose causes human pancreatic beta cells to produce cytokines, which impede insulin production and cause apoptosis and reduced cell proliferation. The secreted proinflammatory cytokine can cause local pancreatic‑islet inflammation (insulitis) resulting in the gradual depletion of β cells that produce insulin. Here we evaluated the protective and anti-inflammatory effects of  Pterocarpus marsupium on pancreatic islets in diabetes rats.

Methods: Rats were given streptozotocin-nicotinamide (STZ-NA) intraperitoneally (i.p.) to induce diabetes. Five groups of animals were created, including normal control (NC), disease control (DC), two groups treated with 250 & 500 mg/kg of P.marsupium (PM250 & PM500) and a group by standard drug glibenclamide (500 µg/kg) (Glib500). After 120 days of treatment, the blood was collected from tail vain and estimation of insulin in plasma, IL-6, and IL-10 was ELISA-determined. HbA1c and fasting blood sugar levels were calculated by glucometer and nephelometry, respectively. Morphology of the rat pancreas and islet was evaluated by H&E staining.

Results: Insulin levels and inflammatory cytokines DC had significantly greater levels of IL-6 and IL-10 (p<0.004).. The IL-6 levels in the PM250 & PM500 and Glib500 groups significantly decreased (p<0.05), but the alterations in insulin and IL-10 levels were negligible. When compared to NC, diabetic controls had as substantially higher glucose and HbA1c levels (p < 0.05). Test groups PM250 & PM500 and Glib500 showed significant decrease in glucose & HbA1c. Pancreatic acinar cell damage, cell atrophy and destruction of beta cells in DC was observed under microscope. There was a clear improvement in pancreatic beta cell regeneration, decreased congestion and edema in test groups.

Conclusion: According to our research, P. marsupium may be a game-changer for reducing inflammation and islet damage in type 2 diabetes, as it exhibited anti-inflammatory activity and a significant improvement in beta cell regeneration of pancreatic islets in diabetes rats.