Earthworm Extract Enhanced Organ Functions in Diabetic Rats by Ameliorating Physiological and Structural Changes

Abstract

Diabetes mellitus is an endocrine disorder that affects various body functions. Earthworms are oligochaete soil macroinvertebrates with intrinsic antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and chelating abilities. This study aimed to examine earthworm extract's potential to treat diabetes in rats. There were three primary groups of six male Wistar albino rats: the control, the diabetic, and the earthworm extract groups. Streptozotocin (60 mg/kg, i.p.) was used to cause type 1 diabetes mellitus. The control and diabetic groups received 1 ml of distilled water, while the earthworm group received the earthworm extract (45 mg/Kg body weight) daily for four weeks. The earthworm extract group showed a significant reduction in glucose, arginase, alkaline phosphatase, alanine aminotransaminase, aspartate aminotransferase, total cholesterol, triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein, creatinine, urea, uric acid, malondialdehyde, and nitric oxide levels. On the contrary, the earthworm extract caused a significant increase in insulin, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, total protein, albumin, high-density lipoprotein, follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, testosterone, reduced glutathione, glutathione S-transferases, and catalase levels. The histopathological investigation illustrated the regeneration of damaged pancreatic beta cells and a clear improvement in the hepatic, kidney, heart, and testis structures. This study indicated the efficacy of earthworm extract in improving the biochemical and histopathological changes in diabetic rats' organs. The therapeutic effect of earthworm extract against diabetic complications results from its hypoglycemic activity, antioxidant impact, and regeneration of damaged tissues.