Effect of barberry fruit (Berberis vulgaris) on serum glucose and lipids in streptozotocin-diabetic rats

Abstract

Summary Barberry (Berberis vulgaris) is used in traditional medicine for a number of diseases including diabetes mellitus. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the antidiabetic activity of aqueous extract of Berberis vulgaris fruit in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. The animal s were rendered diabetic by a single intraperitoneal injection of 60mg/kg streptozotocin. Rats received the barberry fruit extract daily in drinking water containing 3.5% and 7.5% from a 100mg/ml of the initial extract, since the day after diabetes confirmation for 6 weeks. The blood glucose and lipids were spectrophotometrically measured in all groups at weeks 0, 3 and 6. The results showed that the aqueous extract of Berberis vulgaris fruit at amounts of 3.5 and 7.5% of drinking water did not possess the hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic activity in streptozotocindiabetic rats during 6-week treatment period. There fore, the usage of barberry fruit in traditional medicine for the treatment of diabetes may need more investigation.