Cardioprotective Effects of an Aqueous Extract of Solanum tuberosum (Irish Potato Peels) on the Heart of Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Wistar Rats

Background and Objective: Irish potato peels (Solanum tuberosum) are known for their antioxidant properties and have been used to treat many diseases, including diabetes. This study investigated the cardioprotective effects of Solanum tuberosum peel on diabetic-induced alterations in the heart of Wistar rats. Materials and Methods: Thirty-six male Wistar rats were divided into six groups: Normal control, Irish potato peel aqueous extract only, diabetic+Irish potato peel aqueous extract, diabetic+insulin, diabetic+metformin and diabetic only. Diabetes was induced with Streptozotocin 70 mg/kg b.wt., following 72 hrs of displayed hyperglycemia the treatment commenced with Irish potato peel aqueous extract at 100 mg/kg b.wt., insulin at 5 IU/kg b.wt. and metformin at 100 mg/kg b.wt., were administered for 4 weeks. Results: The diabetic+Irish potato peel extract became normoglycemic at week 3 while diabetic+insulin and diabetic+metformin were normoglycemic at week 4. The diabetic group showed the lowest body weight (p<0.05) and lowest relative heart weight compared to other groups. Histological studies showed disrupted heart histoarchitecture in the diabetic-only group while the treated groups were relatively similar to the control group. The diabetic-only group had the highest Lactate Dehydrogenase (LDH) and the lowest Glucose-6-Phosphate Dehydrogenase (G6PDH) activity while LDH and G6PDH activities in the treated groups were similar to the control group. The diabetic group had the lowest activities in the reduced Glutathione (GSH) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels compared to the treated groups. Conclusion: This study suggests that Irish potato peel aqueous extract has a protective effect against diabetes-induced cardiac damage.