Acta Vet. Brno 2019, 88: 349-354

https://doi.org/10.2754/avb201988030349

The effect of Ferulago angulata (Schelchet) Boiss on blood glucose levels and suppression of diabetes in rats

Rahil Parsamehr1, Somayeh Bohlouli2

1Department of Biology, College of Basic Science, Hamedan Branch, Islamic Azad University, Hamedan, Iran
2Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Agriculture, Kermanshah Branch, Islamic Azad University, Kermanshah, Iran

Received December 8, 2016
Accepted June 13, 2019

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.

Funding

This article was financially supported by the authors from the Hamedan Branch, Islamic Azad University, Hamedan, Iran and Kermanshah Branch, Islamic Azad University, Kermanshah, Iran.

References

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