THE EFFECT OF THE HYDROALCOHOLIC EXTRACT OF ECHIUM AMOENUM ON GLYCEMIC CONTROL AND BODY WEIGHT IN STREPTOZOTOCIN-INDUCED DIABETIC MALE RATS

Introduction: Diabetes mellitus is one of the main metabolic disorders across the world. Numerous medicinal herbs are currently used for the management of diabetes mellitus. The present study was conducted to assess the effect of the hydroalcoholic extract of Echium amoenum (EA) on glycemic control and weight in diabetic male rats. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted on 30 male Wistar rats randomly divided into five groups of six rats each, including a control group, a diabetic group receiving no treatments and three diabetic groups treated with 100, 400 or 600 mg/kg of the hydroalcoholic extract of Iranian EA. Diabetes was induced in the rats by the intraperitoneal administration of a single dose of Streptozotocin (60 mg/kg). The rats' blood glucose and weight were measured at baseline and then on days 10, 20 and 30 of the study. Their insulin and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity levels were determined at the end of the study. Results: In all the groups treated with the extract, there was a significant increase in the mean weight and a significant decrease in the mean blood glucose levels compared to the diabetic group (P<0.05). Insulin levels increased significantly in the rats treated with a 600 mg/kg dose of the extract compared to the diabetic group. SOD activity also increased significantly in the groups receiving 400 and 600 mg/kg doses of the extract compared to the diabetic group (P<0.05). Conclusion: The study demonstrated that the hydroalcoholic extract of Iranian EA has hypoglycemic effects and can be used to prevent weight loss due to diabetes. These effects might be due to the presence of compounds such as flavonoids and saponins and some of the plant's antioxidant properties.