Diabetes is a serious condition that is linked to the development of oxidative stress causing among many other effects, kidney failure and pancreatic disorders. However, traditional plant-based remedies can be considered an alternative to diabetes healing. In this context, this study was oriented towards evaluating the protective effect of the flowers of Opuntia microdasys Lehm. collected in Tunisia at a biochemical and histological level on kidneys and pancreas of a type 2 diabetic rats. Renal and pancreatic toxicities were induced in diabetic male Wistar rats by fructose alloxan. Diabetic rats were treated with an extract obtained from flowers collected at post-flowering stage (OFP) (100 and 200 mg kg-1 bw) and metformin (100 mg kg-1 bw) for 28 days. Oral administration of OFP at 200 mg kg-1 bw showed significant reduction of the uric acid, urea, creatinine, amylase, lipase, and glycated hemoglobin (HbAlc). The levels of SOD, CAT, and GPx were increased, while protein carbonyls and lipid peroxidation TBARS levels were reduced in the kidney and pancreas. The altered kidney and pancreas histology were restored in rats treated with OFP. Thus, the present study demonstrated that OFP has antihyperglycemic activity in fructose-alloxan-induced diabetic rats.
Keywords: Antioxidant system; Diabetes; Histopathology; Immunohistology; Opuntia microdasys Lehm; Renal and pancreatic markers.