Baicalin reduces mitochondrial damage in streptozotocin‐induced diabetic Wistar rats

Abstract Background Hyperglycemia‐induced superoxide production in the mitochondria is known to be the primary cause of diabetic micro‐ and macro‐vascular complications and mitochondrial membranal damage. This study in streptozotocin‐induced diabetic Wistar rats investigated the anti‐hyperglycemic and mitochondrial membrane protection effects of baicalin, a flavonoid known for its radical scavenging activity. Methods The following oral treatments were given to diabetic rats for 30 days: (1) metformin 500 mg/kg, (2) baicalin 120 mg/kg, and (3) metformin 500 mg/kg & baicalin 120 mg/kg, with vehicle‐treated diabetic and non‐diabetic groups serving as controls. Results Transmission electron microscopy imaging of pancreatic β‐cells revealed loss of integrity of the inner membrane of the mitochondria in the diabetic rats, which was not observed in the baicalin‐treated group. In addition, baicalin and the combined treatment of metformin and baicalin had significantly reduced ( p < 0.05) the number of mitochondria with a damaged membrane compared to the diabetic control as well as the metformin‐treated group in the hepatic tissues. Baicalin had also increased the plasma leptin content ( p < 0.05) versus the diabetic control, which in turn had effected the total expression of hepatic mitochondria per cell indicating its effects in SIRT1 activity. The increase in mitochondrial number was further complemented with similar trends in the hepatic citrate synthase activity. Conclusions Baicalin had reduced the hyperglycemia‐induced mitochondrial membrane damage, as well as enhanced the effects of metformin, as was observed in the results from the metformin and baicalin treated groups. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.