Mechanism and effects of artesunate on the liver function of rats with type 1 diabetic periodontitis

Periodontitis is an inflammatory disease of the gums. Periodontitis in diabetic patients can aggravate insulin resistance; however, its molecular and biological mechanism remains unclear. This study aimed to explore the effects of diabetic periodontitis on liver function and determine the mechanism by which artesunate improves liver function. Rats with streptozotocin-induced diabetes were divided into five groups: normal control (NC), diabetic periodontitis (DM + PD), artesunate intervention (ART), insulin intervention (INS), and combined medication intervention (ART + INS) groups. Drug interventions were then administered to the rats in each group as follows: 50 mg/kg artesunate to the ART group, 6 U/kg insulin to the INS group, and 50 mg/kg artesunate + 6 U/kg insulin to the ART + INS group. Blood samples, liver tissues, and the maxillary alveolar bone were collected postsacrifice. ART was found to significantly ameliorate hyperglycemia, blood lipid concentrations, and liver function. The levels of inflammatory factors reduced; the effect was more pronounced in the ART + INS group. Artesunate presumably inhibits the TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway and expression of downstream inflammatory factors, thereby exerting a protective effect on diabetes-related liver function. This offers a fresh approach to treat diabetes mellitus.