The Beneficial Role of Combinatorial Spondias mombin and Metformin Treatments in Streptozotocin (STZ)-induced Pancreatic Damage

There is increasing folkloric evidence of the use of the Spondias mombin plant in the management of various illnesses including diabetes. This could be attributed to its anti-hyperglycemic activity. In the same manner, combinatorial therapy has been reported to give a better achievement of glycemic control. On this note, we examined the role of Spondias mombin and/or Metformin and their combined administrations following streptozotocin-induced hyperglycemia and pancreatic damage in Wistar rats.For this study, 10 groups of rats (80-150g) were utilized (A-J, n=10). 1mL/kg of citrate buffer (i.p.) was administered to the experimental control, while Groups B through F & I received Streptozotocin (STZ 60 mg/kg, i.p.), Spondias mombin (600 mg/kg p.o.), (400 mg/kg p.o), (200 mg/kg p.o), metformin (12.5 mg/kg p.o), and Spondias mombin + metformin (12.5 mg/kg) respectively; group B (untreated) while others were treated following hyperglycemia induction. Spondias mombin (400 mg/kg) only and metformin (12.5 mg/kg) only were administered to groups G and H, while J (not-induced) received Spondias mombin + metformin (12.5 mg/kg). Treatment lasted four weeks. The pancreatic tissues were evaluated for histoarchitectural damage with the Hematoxylin and Eosin, Masson Trichome, and Periodic acid Schiff's stains. The Bcl-2 antibody was used to label the Bcl-2 protein for apoptotic changes. Data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA and mean comparisons were done with the Duncan Multiple Range post hoc test. Significant differences were set at p <0.05.Pancreatic induction with STZ resulted in pancreatic histoarchitectural alterations while Spondias mombin treatment only and combined Spondias mombin treatments with metformin ameliorated these abnormalities. Serum insulin was significantly decreased (p<0.05), Peritoneal fluid α-Amylase, was significantly increased (p<0.05), and serum caspase-3 levels were significantly increased (p<0.05) in the STZ-only treated group compared to the control. Spondias mombin, metformin only, and the Spondias mombin+metformin administered groups (C-F, and I) restored these alterations. Bcl-2 Immunoreactivity was in a dose-dependent fashion. The Combined administrations of Spondias mombin and metformin exerted beneficial effects in Streptozotocin-induced pancreatic damage.