Protective and Regenerative Effect of the Extract of Kombucha and the Fungus Ganoderma sichuanense on the Islets of Langerhans of Diabetic Rats

Objective: The present study consisted of challenging the extract of kombucha and the fungus Ganoderma reported as hypoglycemic and used as alternative treatments against diabetes on the number and morphology of islets of Langerhans. Material and Methods: 64 Wistar rats were used in 4 groups: one control, three experimental, streptozotocin, Kombucha y Ganoderma induced diabetes with streptozotocin. Divided into four post-induction stages at 2, 15, 30 and 45 days of treatment, sacrificing 4 rats at each stage, to perform the morphological analysis of the pancreas. Results: A decrease in the islets of Langerhans in size, volume and the number of cells within them was identified for the streptozotocin group from the second stage until almost disappearing due to diabetes, in the groups of Kombucha y Ganoderma the same was observed but they were recovered with the extract treatments and the average number of islets was similar in these groups, the group of Ganoderma. Conclusion: Under the conditions of this work, a protective and regenerative effect of both extracts is identified.

Diabetes, Allopathic and Alternative Methods (Kombucha) for Its Treatment

Introduction: Diabetes is a disease characterized by an increase in blood glucose due to disorders in insulin production, this disease is widely distributed throughout the world. Objective: to review and systematize the general information on diabetes, as well as the traditional treatments and the findings on kombucha as an alternative method. Method: the information retrieval technique or literature review was used on the topics of diabetes, allopathic methods, kombucha, preparation procedures, chemical and microbiological components and pharmacological effects of the drink. Results: Various sources of information were found that explain the definition of diabetes and its classification. it commonly presents in four ways depending on the signs, the common ones being type 1, associated with destruction of the β cells of the pancreas and mainly affects minors, and type 2, which is related to genetic and environmental problems and It affects people over 18 years of age, and less frequently gestational diabetes and MODY type. Traditional drugs such as sulfonylureas, glinides and biguanides, thiazolidinediones and α-glucosidase inhibitors are used to control this disease, or alternative therapies are used such as kombucha, a fermented beverage that has its origins in China and is spread worldwide by its beneficial effects in chronic degenerative diseases such as diabetes, due to its chemical and microbiological content. Conclusion: The information establishes important data on kombucha as one of the complementary alternatives for the treatment of diabetes.

Effect of Kombucha and Its Non-Polar Components on Morphological Aspects of the Pancreas of Diabetic Rats with Streptozotocin

Objective: to evaluate the protective effect of kombucha and its components not polar, in pancreas of diabetic rats treated with streptozotocin. Material and methods: ninety-six male Wistar rats of 120 to 170 g of PC were used;four groups of 24 animals were formed: control (GC), control treatment (GCTx), kombucha treatment (GTxK) and treatment with non-polar components of kombucha (GTxCNP). Diabetes was induced in the last three groups with an intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin at a dose of 65 mg/kg BW. At the same time, treatment was started in the different groups;GC and GCTx groups were administered, orally, 1 ml of sterile saline solution;to the GTxK group 324 mg/kg of kombucha;and to GTxCNP 0.006 mg/kg of the non-polar components. For the histopathological study, pancreas samples were obtained on days 1, 7, 14 and 21 and fixed in formalin. They were processed with the histological technique, 5-micron-thick sections were made and stained with the hematoxylin-eosin technique. Finally, the number of islets of Langerhans per field observed with the 10x objective was quantified. The results were subjected to a one-way analysis of variance and Tukey’s test (p Results: Significant changes in the number of islets were observed in histological sections of the pancreas. The groups treated with streptozotocin showed a significant decrease in the number of islets 7 days after starting treatment;Likewise, their number was lower in the GCTx group compared to the GTxK and GTxCNP groups (p ≤ 0.05). At 14 and 21 days, the lowest number of islets was maintained, although only in the GCTx and GTxK groups (p ≤ 0.05). Streptozotocin is a drug that can be used in rats to induce an experimental model of diabetes with an effect that can last up to 21 days. Conclusions: This fermented beverage and its non-polar components can be a complementary treatment alternative for diabetes mellitus, since it prevents further damage to the β cells of the pancreas and the Islets of Langerhans. Specific additional studies on the main, non-polar components of kombucha are suggested to know the mechanism of protection on pancreatic islets.