ANTIDIABETIC EFFECT OF THYMUS SATUREIOIDES AQUEOUS EXTRACT IN STREPTOZOTOCIN-INDUCED DIABETIC RATS

Abstract

<p><strong>Objective</strong>:<strong> </strong>The aerial parts of <em>Thymus satureioides </em>have been traditionally used to treat diabetes mellitus and its complications in Morocco. The aim of the present study was to investigate the antidiabetic and antihyperlipidemic effects of the aqueous extract of <em>Thymus satureioides </em>aerial parts in streptozotocin (STZ) induced diabetic rats.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Experimental diabetes was induced in overnight fasted rats by intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (45 mg/kg). Diabetic rats were orally administered with aqueous extract of <em>Thymus satureioides</em> (500 mg/kg b.w.) for 28 d. Glibenclamide (2 mg/kg), a standard antidiabetic drug, was used as a positive control drug. Body weight and fasting blood glucose (FGB) were measured every week. Oral glucose tolerance, change in lipid parameters, urea, creatinine, aspartate aminotransferase (ASAT) and alanine aminotransferase (ALAT) levels of diabetic rats were evaluated at the end of the treatment.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Administration of <em>Thymus satureioides </em>aqueous extract to diabetic rats for 28 d reduced their fasting blood glucose levels significantly compared to the diabetic control rats. The extract improved body weight and glucose tolerance in diabetic rats. The antihyperlipidemic assessment of the extract revealed a decrease in plasma total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL levels and an increase in HDL level in the plasma of treated diabetic rats. Furthermore, the biochemical liver and kidney functional tests have shown that serum biomarkers of liver and renal dysfunction were significantly reduced in treated diabetic rats.</p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The present findings suggest that <em>Thymus satureioides </em>extract has both antidiabetic and antihyperlipidemic effects in experimental diabetic rats which can be beneficial in the management of diabetes and its complications.<p> </p>