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. 2022 Aug 5;27(15):4985. doi: 10.3390/molecules27154985

Figure 1.

Figure 1

Effects of the MR extract on blood glucose level, body and organ weight, and histopathological modifications in STZ-treated rats. (A) Blood glucose level (fasting). (B) Changes in body weight. (C) Relative change of the kidney, liver, and pancreas weight. The abnormal alterations in these factors were restored by MR treatment. All values are the mean ± S.D. (n = 6). Statistical calculation was completed by one-way ANOVA subsequently by Tukey’s honest significant difference (HSD) post hoc test for multiple comparisons. (*** p < 0.001). ## p < 0.01, ### p < 0.001 compared with the STZ group. (D) Alteration of the histopathology in the kidney and pancreas (H&E stained). The STZ-treated diabetic rats displayed enlarged cortex with expansion (asterisk), glomerular sclerosis (arrowheads), and dilatation. The medulla showed interstitial nodular sclerosis, tubular dilatation, and fibroplasia (asterisk). The treatment of STZ-treated rats with the MR extract induced minor occurrence of the medulla and tubular injury, normal-sized renal cortex, and normal histological structure of thin tubules (arrows). Original magnification: 200×, scale bar: 50 μm. In contrast, the pancreas is composed of exocrine components that are tightly packed by acinar cells and organized into small lobules divided by intact intralobular and interlobular connective tissue septa. The pathology of both exocrine and endocrine components has changed after STZ treatment. Most of the acinar cells were enlarged, and tiny vacuoles were noted. The interlobular ducts were covered with a flattened epithelium (black arrowheads). STZ treatment destroyed almost all the islet β-cells. However, the MR extract restored the general pathology of the pancreas of diabetic rats. Atrophic changes in the acinar cells were negligible. The border between the exocrine and endocrine portions became more distinctive. All images are symbolic of three rats per investigational group. Original magnification: 200×, scale bar: 100 μm. (E) Quantitative investigation of the Bowman capsule size and glomerular and interstitial spaces of H&E-stained kidney sections in the experimental rats. NC: Normal control, STZ: streptozotocin-treated group, STZ + MR: Streptozotocin-treated rats received MR extract, STZ + Mef: Streptozotocin-treated rats received Metformin.