Antidiabetic, Antihyperlipedemic and Antioxidant Effects of Aqueous Extract of the Roots of Cynara cornigera in Alloxan-induced Experimental Diabetes Mellitus
Abstract: Diabetes mellitus is one of the most common diseases due to which world's population suffers from it. Nowadays, the medical management of diabetes is not adequate due to the serious side effects of synthetic hypoglycemic drugs. The aim of this study was to investigate the antidiabetic, antihyperlipidemic and antioxidant activities of Cynara cornigera as an herbal drug free from side effects. Hyperglycemia was induced by a single intraperitoneal injection of alloxan (150 mg kg-1). Administration of the Cynara cornigera extract (1.5 g kg-1) and glibenclamide (10 mg kg-1) orally in diabetic rats resulted in a significant reduction (p<0.05) on blood glucose level (from 330.80±10.11 mg dL-1 to 229.70±7.94 and 195.50±6.53 mg dL-1 for the extract and for glibenclamide, respectively). In addition, it significantly recovered serum insulin levels (from 18.00±1.23 μL mL-1 to 27.00±1.19 and 32.00±1.73 μL mL-1 for the extract and for glibenclamide, respectively), liver glycogen content (from 14.80±1.10 mg g-1 to 33.65±1.96 and 39.10±2.47 mg g-1 for the extract and for glibenclamide, respectively) and prevented the decrease in body weight (from -12.5 to +4.2% and +6.2% for the extract and for glibenclamide, respectively). Hyperlipidemia, marked increase in lipid peroxide levels and concomitant decrease in glutathione content and catalase activity from homogenized liver sample were observed in untreated diabetic rats. Treatment with Cynara cornigera extract significantly reversed these conditions to near normal levels. The results of the present study show that administration of aqueous extract of the root of Cynara cornigera may be a good alternative antidiabetic agent.
Mohamed Ahmida , 2011. Antidiabetic, Antihyperlipedemic and Antioxidant Effects of Aqueous Extract of the Roots of Cynara cornigera in Alloxan-induced Experimental Diabetes Mellitus. International Journal of Pharmacology, 7: 782-789.
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