Hepatoprotective and Antioxidant Activities of the Essential Oil from Maqian (Zanthoxylum myriacanthum var. pubescens) in Streptozotocin-induced Diabetic Mice

Abstract

Background & objectives: Diabetes is a metabolic disorder and it can affect many organs and different types of antioxidant enzymes through increased production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). A few essential oils have been reported to have antioxidant and antidiabetic effects. The objective of our present study is to explore the anti-diabetic potential of Maqian essential oil (MQEO). Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the hepatoprotective and antioxidant effect of MQEO in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetes in mice. Method: Diabetes was induced in male ICR mice with a single intraperitoneal injection of STZ (200 mg/kg body weight). MQEO was administered orally for 7 days. At the end of experiment liver was weighed and enzymatic and non-enzymatic oxidative stress parameters were measured, and part of liver was examined by hematoxylin/eosin staining. Results: MQEO treatment resulted in significantly decreased MDA level and increased antioxidant enzymes including superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase and glutathione-Stransferase in STZ-diabetic mice. Histology examination showed severe pathology changes in diabetic mice including congestion of sinusoids and focal necrosis in liver and MQEO restored tissue architecture almost as in the normal control mice. Conclusion: MQEO has pronounced antioxidant effect and could reverse liver damages in STZ-induced diabetic mice. It could be useful for controlling diabetic complications.