Pueraria tuberosa as Dipeptidyl-Peptidase-IV Inhibitor Prevents Streptozotocin-Induced Intestinal Stress

BACKGROUND: Enhanced expression of PTY-2 dipeptidyl-peptidase-IV (DPP-IV) has been found to improve has been found in various intestinal diseases. Pueraria tuberosa tuber water extract-2 (PTY-2) is already known to have DPP-IV inhibitory potential. At the mRNA level, this inhibition has not yet been investigated. Increased incretin secretion due to inhibition of DPP-IV could lead to the suppression of stress and apoptosis of intestinal cells. AIM: In this research, we tried to study the antioxidant, anti-apoptotic, and DPP-IV inhibitory effect of PTY 2 against intestinal damage induced by STZ. METHODS: We found morphological damage to the intestine following streptozotocin (STZ) injection (65 mg/kg bw) in male Charles foster rats through histological examination. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) and DPP-IV mRNA expressions were analyzed by polymerase chain reaction and cell apoptosis was examined by tunnel assay and Bcl 2 immunoexpression. RESULTS: In STZ-induced diabetic control, the number and length of villi were decreased, but these damages were reversed by 10 days of PTY-2 treatment. SOD expression was found to be decreased whereas DPP-IV expression was enhanced with significant intestinal cell apoptosis in the diabetic control group. Treatment with PTY-2 decreases stress by upregulating SOD expression and by downregulating the expression of DPP-IV. These PTY-2 recoveries contribute to the suppression of apoptosis in the intestinal cells. CONCLUSION: The protective action of PTY-2 against STZ mediated intestinal damage is demonstrated by these short studies. Therefore, PTY-2 may be taken as a herbal remedy for diabetes-induced intestinal damages.