The effects of Vaccinium arctostaphylos L. extract on the levels of glucose, oxidation indicators, HDL and cholesterol in diabetic rats (Wistar).

Introduction: Vaccinium arctostaphylos is a medicinal plant used for the treatment of diabetes. The present study was conducted to investigate the effect of the methanol extract of Caucasian whortleberry on glucose, oxidative biomarkers, HDL and cholesterol. Materials and methods: The present experimental study was conducted on 24 male Wistar rats divided into a healthy control group, a diabetic control group and two diabetic trial groups treated with 150 and 250 mg/kg of body weight doses of the methanol extract of Caucasian whortleberry. After inducing diabetes in the rats, the effect of 30 days of intraperitoneal injection of the extract was examined on their blood biochemical markers. Results: Comparing the two diabetic trial groups treated with Caucasian whortleberry extract revealed the 250 mg/kg dose to be the most effective concentration for reducing glucose, increasing HDL, increasing paraxonase activity, reducing malondialdehyde and reducing body weight, while the 150mg/kg dose of the extract was the most effective for reducing cholesterol and protein carbonyl (P<0.05). Conclusion: The present study showed that the methanol extract of Caucasian whortleberry can reduce the adverse effects of diabetes on many biochemical markers and thus boasts medicinal properties.