Anti-diabetic mechanisms of lepidium meyenii (Maca) and marine collagen in Blackbelt® using rat mode of diabetes mellitus

Abstract

Background: The potential use of Lepidium meyenii (maca) and marine collagen peptide (MCP) for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) symptoms has piqued researchers' curiosity. However, no research has been conducted to investigate how the combination of these two components may benefit the treatment of T2DM. Objectives: The study aimed to examine biochemical data in the pancreas and liver of T2DM rats and to link these findings with histological changes after treatments with a combination of maca and MCP in Blackbelt® coffee. Methodology: 36 male rats with diabetes induced by high-fat diet/streptozocin were used. Metformin (200 mg/kg), maca (100 mg/kg), MCP (4.5 g/kg), Maca/MCP® (Blackbelt® formulation), and Blackbelt® coffee (2.2 g/kg) were supplemented for 28 days. Fasting blood glucose (FBG) levels were intermittently monitored. Subsequently, assessments were conducted for fasting serum insulin, HOMA-IR, which quantifies insulin resistance, HOMA-B, which evaluates beta-cell function, and QUICKI to measure insulin sensitivity. Haematoxylin-eosin staining was employed to analyse histological alterations in the pancreas and liver. Results: After 4 weeks, treatment with metformin, maca, MCP, and Blackbelt® coffee led to significantly decreased FBG levels compared to week 0 (p<0.05). Only metformin showed a significant FBG decrease compared to the diabetic control (p<0.05). Rats treated with Blackbelt® coffee had notable insulin production (p<0.05). While all groups showed decreased HOMA-IR (p<0.05), metformin had the greatest reduction. Both metformin and Blackbelt® coffee groups exhibited significant increases in HOMA-B scores (p<0.05). Only metformin increased QUICKI values (p<0.05). Histological analysis revealed improved pancreatic health across all treatment groups, with Blackbelt® coffee showing significant enhancement in liver histology. Conclusion: Blackbelt® coffee has exhibited benefits for FBG levels, insulin resistance, and betacell function while surpassing metformin in insulin production and offering hepatoprotective effects. While promising for diabetes therapy, further research is needed to understand its coffee components and potential enhancements to the Maca/MCP® formulation.