Genetic Impact of Flavonoids Derived from Onion (Allium cepa L.) Peels on Hepatic Tissue in Type II Diabetes Mice Model

Abd EL-Aziz, M. H.; Taher, M. A.; ELnady, Ghada H.; Fathallah, Alshaimaa G.

doi:10.21608/jacb.2025.415145.1121

Genetic Impact of Flavonoids Derived from Onion (Allium cepa L.) Peels on Hepatic Tissue in Type II Diabetes Mice Model

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

¹ Dept. of Genetics, Fac. of Agric., Mansoura University. EGYPT

² Dept. of Chemistry, Fac. of Agric., Mansoura University. EGYPT

³ Medical Genetics Centre, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams university, Egypt

10.21608/jacb.2025.415145.1121

Abstract

Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) accounts for over 90% of global diabetes cases and results from complex interactions between genetic and environmental factors. Growth hormone (GH) is essential for glucose metabolism, and its dysregulation contributes to diabetic complications. This study evaluated the effects of onion peel flavonoid extracts on hepatic GH gene expression in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic mice.Twenty-five male albino mice were divided into five groups: normal control (C), diabetic control (D), diabetic treated with metformin 200 mg/kg (D+M200), diabetic treated with flavonoid extract 100 mg/kg (D+F100), and diabetic treated with flavonoid extract 200 mg/kg (D+F200). Diabetes was induced with STZ (40 mg/kg). Blood glucose levels were monitored weekly for four weeks, and HbA1c was assessed at study completion. Hepatic GH gene expression was analyzed using qRT-PCR. Groups treated with flavonoid extracts demonstrated progressive improvements in glycemic control . By week 4, blood glucose levels were significantly reduced in D+F100 (104.4±1.69 mg/dl) and D+F200 (88.4±2.93 mg/dl) compared to D (242±12.9 mg/dl). HbA1c levels were also reduced in D+F100 (6.93±0.15) and D+F200 (6.6±0.1) relative to D (7.86±0.25). GH expression was markedly downregulated in D (0.2±0.002), but flavonoid treatment restored expression, with D+F200 showing near-normalization (FC=0.97±0.04) and D+F100 showing moderate improvement (FC=0.7±0.06).Onion peel flavonoids produced significant glucose-lowering effects superior to metformin, with the higher dose achieving near-normal glycemia. These findings suggest that flavonoids may restore hepatic metabolic balance by normalizing GH gene expression, offering therapeutic potential for T2DM management

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