Abstract
Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disease characterized by elevated blood glucose levels. Medicinal plant Ferulago angulata has anti-oxidant properties. The aim of the present research was to evaluate the effect of a hydroalcoholic extract of F. angulata on the blood glucose level and liver enzyme activity in diabetic male rats. Forty-eight male rats were randomly divided into eight groups, including normal and diabetic groups. Diabetes was induced by a single intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin at 40 mg·kg-1 body weight. Rats were treated with an intraperitoneal injection of the extract for three weeks. At the end of the experimental period, fasting blood samples were collected, and blood glucose and liver enzyme activity were measured. This study demonstrated that serum glucose levels in diabetic groups treated with F. angulata were significantly lower than those in diabetic rats (P < 0.001). Alanine aminotransferase levels in diabetic rats treated with F. angulata were significantly decreased compared to diabetic rats (P < 0.001). Aspartate aminotransferase levels in diabetic rats treated with 200 and 400 mg·kg-1 F. angulata were significantly decreased compared to diabetic rats (P < 0.001). No significant differences were observed in the serum levels of blood glucose and liver enzymes in the normal group treated with different doses of the extract. These results show that the hydroalcoholic extract of F. angulata might be effective in the treatment of diabetes and consequently alleviate the liver damage caused by streptozotocin-induced diabetes mellitus. This effect might be due to the presence of flavonoids and their antioxidant features.
Highlights
Diabetes mellitus is a systemic disease of great significance
These results show that the hydroalcoholic extract of F. angulata might be effective in the treatment of diabetes and alleviate the liver damage caused by streptozotocin-induced diabetes mellitus
Our results showed that administration of the hydro-alcoholic extract of F. angulata to mature diabetic male rats resulted in a significant decrease in the blood glucose level compared to the diabetic control group (P < 0.001) (Fig. 1)
Summary
Diabetes mellitus is a systemic disease of great significance. Compared to other diseases, diabetes is a disease of high prevalence. Locally called “chavir”, belongs to the Apiaceae family and is a natural and traditional plant in western parts of Iran (Khan Ahmadi et al 2011). It grows in other countries, including Turkey, Greece, Serbia and Macedonia (Baser 2002). The hydro-alcoholic extract of F. angulata contains phenolic compounds and has antioxidant and anti-diabetic effects. It is considered an important herb in Iran. Phenolic compounds, owing to their antioxidant activity, are capable of inhibiting free radicals; they can be effective in preventing many diseases like cancer, cardiovascular and nervous diseases (Hosseini et al 2012). This study was carried out to evaluate the effects of F. angulata (Schelcht) Boiss on blood glucose levels and liver enzymes of male rats
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