Effect of Silymarin on the Expression of Mafa gene and its Relationship with Insulin Levels in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rats

Silymarin is effective in the treatment of various cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, blood lipids, liver disease, acute viral hepatitis, and gallbladder disease. It also has regenerative properties in several liver disorders, anti-diabetic effects, as well as anti-inflammatory, and anti-oxidant agents. Therefore, this study was aimed to investigate the effect of silymarin on Mafa gene expression and its association with insulin levels in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.

This study included 42 rats which were selected randomly and divided into 7 groups (n=6 per group). Streptozotocin was induced to develop diabetes among rats. Subsequently, after 1 month, the blood samples were taken from the heart of each group of rats to measure insulin levels. Following that, the rats were sacrificed and their pancreatic tissues were examined to measure the expression of the Mafa gene using Realtime PCR. Ethics code: IR.IAU.SHK.REC.1397.035

According to the results, active ingredients found in silymarin enhance the expression of the Mafa gene, and the levels of Mafa gene expression differ in different doses. This increase in the expression of the gene was not dose-dependent; however, in the low- and high -dose groups, the expression levels were lower (P=0.018) and higher (P=0.003), respectively. Moreover, it led to an increase in insulin levels.

Active ingredients found in silymarin enhance the expression of the Mafa gene, and therefore, increases the level of insulin secretion by the pancreatic beta cells.