Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Plant-derived exosomes (PDEs) are promising nanotherapeutics for improving chronic diseases, such as diabetes mellitus. Trifolium pratense (TP) is a flowering herb with potent antioxidant and antidiabetic properties. The present study aimed to explore the diabetic-healing effects of TP-derived exosomes (TPDEs) in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. METHODS: TPDEs were isolated using polyethylene glycol precipitation and serial centrifugation and characterised. STZ-induced diabetic rats were treated with TPDE doses (0, 100, 200, and 400 μg/kg) for 28 days. Biochemical factors (fasting blood sugar (FBS), insulin, C-peptide, total antioxidant capacity (TAC), and nitric oxide (NO)) were evaluated in serum samples. Also, the expression of PDX1, insulin, NGN3, and SIRT1 genes in pancreas tissues was assessed using real-time PCR. RESULTS: TPDE treatment decreased the serum levels of FBS and NO while increasing c-peptide, insulin, and TAC levels. It also significantly enhanced the expression of insulin, PDX1, NGN3, and SIRT1 genes. TPDEs at doses of 100 to 200 μg/kg showed the most significant antidiabetic effects. CONCLUSION: TPDEs significantly improved diabetes-induced alterations in serum insulin levels, antioxidant status, and pancreas-related gene expression. It can be considered a novel complementary treatment for diabetes.