Pleiotropic effects of Salacia reticulata and Simvastatin on oxidative stress and insulin resistance in a rat model

Background: The present study investigated the effects of Salacia reticulata and simvastatin on oxidative stress and insulin resistance in Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats. We compared the protective effect of a methanolic extract of Salacia reticulata (SR) with simvastatin (SVS) in rats fed a high-fat diet (HFD). Methods and results: Male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into the following five different groups: control (C), C+SR, HFD, HFD+SR, and HFD+SVS. High-fat diet fed rats showed hyperglycemia, hyperinsulinemia, hyperleptinemia, dyslipidemia, and hypoadiponectinemia after 90 days. Treatment of high-fat diet fed rats with SR/ SVS significantly (p < 0.05) reduced high-fat diet induced increases in plasma triglycerides, total cholesterol, very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL), low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and decreased high- density lipoprotein (HDL) accompanied by an increase in lipid peroxidation (LPO) and protein oxidation. In addition, a significant decrease in the activities of antioxidant enzymes and enzymes of the polyol pathway was observed in rats fed high-fat diet. SR was found to be more effective than SVS. Moreover, infiltration of inflammatory cells and fibrosis in the liver of high-fat diet fed rats by SR/SVS were also prevented. Conclusions: The present study confirms that SR/SVS may be a new and promising remedial approach because of its beneficial effects on the pathophysiological processes of obesity and related metabolic disorders.

Automated summary

This study explored the effects of Salacia reticulata and simvastatin on oxidative stress and insulin resistance in rats. The researchers found that treatment with Salacia reticulata or simvastatin significantly reduced the negative effects of a high-fat diet on lipid levels, lipid peroxidation, and protein oxidation. In addition, Salacia reticulata showed greater efficacy in preventing liver inflammation and fibrosis in high-fat diet fed rats. These findings suggest that Salacia reticulata and simvastatin may be promising remedies for obesity and related metabolic disorders.