The water extract of Benjakul has an impact on the aging of pancreatic cells in obese rats fed with a high-fat diet over an intermediate period of time

Abstract

The Benjakul water extract is a traditional remedy used in Thai folk medicine to address elevated blood sugar levels. However, there has been no prior investigation into the effects and mechanisms of Benjakul water extract on the pancreas. This study aims to assess the anti-aging properties of Benjakul water extract by measuring the intensity of the Senescence-associated beta-galactosidase (SA-β-gal) enzyme in pancreatic cells using immunohistochemical methods. The study involved 18 male Sprague-Dawley rats divided into three groups of six. After raising the rats for a full sixteen-week period, their body weight, blood sugar levels, and SA-β-gal immunohistochemistry of their pancreas were examined. The study's results, when compared to the control group or the group receiving a normal diet, revealed a statistically significant increase in body weight across all groups of rat. However, concerning blood sugar levels and the staining intensity of SA-β-gal in the pancreatic cells, the group of rat subjected to a high-fat diet along with a low-dose Benjakul water extract exhibited a noticeable trend towards reduction. When compared to the group receiving a high-fat diet, it was observed that the group exposed to a high-fat diet along with a low-dose Benjakul water extract showed a tendency toward a reduction in body weight, blood sugar levels, and staining intensity of SA-β-gal in the pancreatic cells. In conclusion, Benjakul water extract appears to prevent the aging process of pancreatic cells under conditions associated with a high-fat diet.