Antidiabetic and antioxidant effect of Origanum minutiflorum O. Schwarz & P. H. Davis in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

In this study, the antidiabetic potential of aqueous extract of Origanum minutiflorum was tested using streptozotocin induced diabetic rats. Changes in body weight, blood glucose level, biochemical parameters, antioxidant enzyme activities and histopathological examination of kidney were evaluated. The administration of aqueous extract and carvacrol to diabetic group rats caused significant decrease in blood glucose, biochemical parameters of serum and significantly increased the concentration of high density lipoprotein cholesterol. The administration of aqueous extract and carvacrol significantly increased the antioxidant enzyme activity and reduced the MDA level. The histopathological analysis of kidney showed that aqueous extract and carvacrol had possible ameliorative effect against kidney damage. Aqueous extract is also showed α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibitor activity with high antioxidant activity. These scientific results confirm the use of O. minutiflorum as adjuvant antidiabetic therapy.