Anti-diabetic effects of Eryngium billardieri on streptozotocin-induced diabetic male mice

Abstract

Introduction: The genus Eryngium, with 274 species, is one of the largest genera of the Apiaceae family. Nine species of this genus grow in Iran, and Eryngium billardieri is one of them. E.billardieri has shown numerous pharmacological effects including anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and antioxidant. Objective: To investigate the anti-diabetic effects of E.billardieri on streptozotocin-induced diabetic male mice. Materials and Methods: Extraction was performed using ethanol 70% by maceration method. Mice were randomly divided into 8 groups (n=6): Healthy control group, diabetic control group, healthy control group of the extract (300 mg/kg Oral), diabetic mice receiving the extract (100 and 300 mg/kg, Oral and IP), group receiving simultaneous STZ (IP) and high dose of extract (Oral) for 5 days. Type 2 diabetes induced by a single dose of STZ (150 mg/kg). Diabetic mice received low and high doses of the extract (Oral and IP) for 18 days. Finally, mice were anesthetized by IP injection of ketamine and xylazine. Blood samples were collected from the heart and serum samples were separated and kept in -70 ° C. Three days before surgery, the OGTT test was performed. Results: IP injection of the extract (300 mg/kg) reduced the weight of diabetic mice and significantly reduced glucose tolerance. Also, gavage of the extract (300 mg/kg) significantly increased serum insulin level, significantly decreased blood glucose, significantly reduced glucose tolerance and MDA. Conclusion: Oral administration of the hydro-alcoholic extract of E.billardieri had antidiabetic activity. The generated data supports the folkloric claims associating E.billardieri with hypoglycemic effects. However, there is need for further studies on this plant to investigate the mechanism of its activity and determine its safety profiles in order to explore possibilities of developing a new antidiabetic drug.