Berberine protects against metformin-associated lactic acidosis in induced diabetes mellitus

Objective(s): Causality of occurrence of metformin-associated lactic acidosis (MALA) is a clinical problem. Currently, there is no drug available to prevent MALA. The present study was conducted to evaluate the protective effect of Berberine (BBR) against MALA in induced diabetic rat model. Materials and Methods: A sample of ۷۵ healthy male Wistar rats was randomly selected according to inclusion and exclusion criteria. ۷۵ male Wistar rats were randomly divided into a control and ۴ experimental groups. Streptozotocin (STZ) in citrate buffer (pH ۴.۵) at a dose of ۴۵ mg/kg was injected for induction of diabetes mellitus and rats achieving fasting blood glucose >۲۵۰ mg/dl were included. Blood samples were collected ۱۸ hr after the last dose of metformin and berberine. Ethical approval was taken before the study was conducted. Staistix ۱۰.۰ (USA) software was used for data analysis. Results: Berberine decreased MALA. Metformin, metformin + BBR ۵۰ mg/kg bwt, and metformin + BBR ۱۰۰ mg/kg bwt showed serum lactate as ۱.۸۷±۰.۴ mmol/lL, ۱.۶۲ ± ۰.۴۴ mmol/l and ۱.۴۷± ۰.۴۵ mmol/l, respectively (P=۰.۰۰۰۱).  Insulin resistance and liver enzymes were improved in BBR treated rats. Conclusion: The present study reports berberine protects against MALA in streptozocin-induced diabetes mellitus.

Keywords:

Berberine , insulin resistance , Lactic acidosis , Metformin