The Effect of Yacon (Smallanthus sonchifolius) Extract against Dibutyltin Dichloride-induced Pancreatitis

Choi, Nan Hee; Choi, Seong Hun; Lim, Seong Woo; Park, In Sick

Abstract

Yacon is used in folk medicines as a medicinal tea for hypoglycemia. In a recent study described herein, anti-oxidative, -bacterial, -fungal activities and cell protective functions of leaf extract of Smallanthus sonchifolius have been reported. In this study, to evaluate the effect on pancreatitis by using yacon extract (YE), we examined the efficacy of YE on DBTC (8 mg/kg)-induced pancreatitis in rats. After the treatment of DBTC on day 21, highly increased inflammatory cells, necrosis of acinar cells and connective tissues were observed. However, the inflammation was strongly inhibited in YE as compared to control group (CON). As a result of immunoreactions against HSP27, HSP70 and MAC387, weak or no possibilities of normal group (NOR) were observed in pancreas, whereas in immunoreactions against HSP27 and HSP70, strong expression of CON was observed in acinar and duct cells on day 14. However, the expression of HSP27 was decreased in acinar cells for CON treatment on day 21 as compared to 14 days observation, whereas strong expression of HSP27 was observed in duct cells and blood vessels on day 21. As regards the immunoreactions against HSP70, weak or no possibilities of CON were observed in duct cells and blood vessels as well as in acinar cells on day 21. In CON, time-dependent increase of MAC387 was observed. However, the expressions of HSP27 and HSP70 were weakly observed in YE as compared to CON on day 14 with strong positive reaction in acinar cells on day 21. Immunoreactions against MAC387 were decreased in YE on day 14 than day 7, which increased on day 21 as compared to day 14. These results suggested that yacon extract has inhibitory and mitigatory effects against DBTC-induced pancreatitis.