Salacia oblonga aqueous root extract restores β-cell function in experimental diabetes via antioxidant effects and MAFA upregulation

Optimizing the function of the existing β-cells is a potential strategy for managing hyperglycemia in diabetes. Musculo aponeurotic fibrosarcoma oncogene A (MAFA) is a β-cell-specific transcription factor crucial for binding to insulin enhancer elements to promote insulin secretion. Cytotoxic stress from chronic hyperglycemia diminishes the β-cell potential, which can be mitigated using natural antidiabetic agents. In this study, oxidative stress was induced in β-cells using streptozotocin in male Wistar rats to assess the antioxidant properties of aqueous root extract of Salacia oblonga (ARSO). Diabetic animals received oral doses of glibenclamide (2 mg/kg) and ARSO (200 mg/kg) for 8 weeks. Blood glucose levels, ultrastructural changes in β-cells, histopathological assessments, MAFA immunohistochemistry, transcription and translation processes, and antioxidant status within pancreatic tissues were evaluated. The group treated with ARSO exhibited a significant 54% reduction in hyperglycemia and demonstrated enhanced antioxidant status, indicating the antidiabetic and antioxidant properties of S. oblonga. Histopathological analysis confirmed the functional restoration of β-cells, as indicated by an increase in cellular organelles in the ARSO-treated group. Additionally, there was a 63% increase in MAFA-expressing cells, along with a 2.2-fold increase in MAFA gene expression and a 1.8-fold increase in protein expression in ARSO-treated diabetic animals compared with the control. These findings suggest that S. oblonga enhances the expression of β-cell-specific transcription factors and has potential as an effective therapeutic agent for diabetes management, warranting further investigations.