Physiological Heterogeneity in the Krameria Genus: Blood Glucose and Proinflammatory Effect of Krameria Triandra in Diabetic Rats

Diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disorder characterized by hyperglycemia, and results in severe complications. Krameria pauciflora (KP) is known to exhibit antihyperglycemic effects in diabetic rats. The present study was carried out to evaluate the effects of Krameria triandra extract (KTE) on blood glucose and proinflammatory interleukins in diabetic rats. Twenty-four adult male rats were randomly assigned to two groups: a normal control group (n=6) and an experimental group (n=18). Diabetes was induced in rats of the experimental group by a single intraperitoneal injection of 60mg streptozotocin. The diabetic rats were subdivided into three groups (n=6 each): (1) diabetic (DM) rats treated orally with vehicle, (2) KTE diabetic (DOK) rats treated orally with KTE 100mg/kg, and (3) Metformin diabetic (DOM) rats treated orally with metformin (100mg/kg). Following the experimental period (16 days), blood samples were collected for analysis of fasting blood glucose, proinflammatory Interleukins (IL-2, IL-6, IL-1Beta), and Insulin-like Growth Factor (IGF). Initial and final body weight of rats were also recorded. The results indicated significant metabolic and immunological restructuring of KTE, characterized by increases in both fasting blood glucose and proinflammatory cytokine (IL-6), as well as suppression of IGF. This divergence of effects between Krameria pauciflora and Krameria triandra underscores the necessity for species-specific pharmacological evaluation and cautions against generalizing effects across the species of the Krameria genus. Further studies are warranted to elucidate the compounds and mechanisms underlying these observations and to assess the clinical relevance of KTE.