Can ursolic acid be beneficial against diabetes in rats?

Abstract

Abstract Objective Diabetes mellitus, a heteregenous metabolic and chronic disease, is a growing health problem especially in developing countries. It is claimed that diabetes associated with increased formation of free radicals and decrease in antioxidant potential and also alterations in lipid profile and enzyme levels. Ursolic acid is commonly used in traditional Chinese medicine due to its beneficial effects. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of ursolic acid on streptozotocin-induced diabetes in Wistar albino rats. Methods DNA damage was evaluated in the blood and liver cells of rats by alkaline comet assay. The activities of antioxidant enzymes, oxidative stress parameters, biochemical parameters, hepatic enzyme levels and lipid profile parameters were also evaluated. Results The results of this study demonstrate that diabetes caused genotoxic damage, changes in hepatic enzyme and lipid profile, biochemical and antioxidant enzyme activities and oxidative stress parameters in rats. Ursolic acid was found to be protective against diabetes induced effects in blood and liver samples of rats. Conclusions According to our results, it seems that ursolic acid may be beneficial against diabetes and its adverse effects in rats.