Repercussões bioquímicas, imunológicas e materno-fetais do tratamento de Curatella americana em ratas prenhes não diabéticas e com diabete moderado

Abstract

During pregnancy, hyperglycemia can lead to maternal and fetal complications, causing metabolic and reproductive changes. In this way, alternatives are sought to treat diabetes and prevent its complications, one of these possibilities is the use of medicinal plants, such as Curatella americana. However, there is no scientific evidence of the hypoglycemic effect and the safety of use during pregnancy. Thus, the objective of the study was to evaluate the maternal and fetal effects of the aqueous extract of C. americana leaves on pregnancy of non-diabetic and diabetic rats. For this, Wistar rats were mated and diabetes was induced in females, 24 hours after birth, by subcutaneous injection of Streptozotocin at dose of 100 mg/kg. The oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) was performed at 110 days of life. Then, the rats were mated and distributed in four experimental groups (n=12 animals/group): Control: Non-diabetic rats treated with water; Control Treated: Non-diabetic rats treated with the plant; Diabetic: Diabetic rats treated with water; Diabetic Treated: Diabetic rats treated with the plant. Administration of the aqueous extract (300 mg/kg dose) was oral (gavage) performed during pregnancy. The glycemia was evaluated weekly and OGTT was performed on the day 17 th of pregnancy. On the day 21st of pregnancy, the rats were anesthetized and blood samples were collected for evaluation of biochemical parameters and leukogram. The uterus was removed for observation of reproductive performance. The fetuses were weighed and analyzed for the presence of anomalies. Cytokine analysis in the placentas was also performed. Results showed that the plant treatment did not alter glycemic metabolism and leukogram. Triglyceride, cholesterol and VLDLcholesterol levels were decreased in the Diabetic treated in relation to Diabetic group. Interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) concentration was decreased in the groups treated with the plant. The Control group treated presented a decrease in fetal and placental weight in relation to the other groups, suggesting intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR). Although treatment with C. americana did not modify the glycemia in diabetic rats, there was an improvement in the lipid profile. The decrease in the proinflammatory cytokines IFN-γ, caused by the plant, may be associated with IUGR.