Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of Yucca schidigera (YSE) on lipid peroxidation and some biochemical parameters in streptozotocin-induced (STZ) diabetic rats. Four groups of seven rats each were used in this study. Supplementation period was three weeks. The groups were: I. control group (C), normal feed; II. diabetic (DM-YSE), normal feed plus YSE 100 ppm/kg; III. diabetic (DM), normal feed; and IV. yucca group (YSE), normal feed plus YSE 100 ppm/kg. malondialdehyde, glutathione, cholesterol, triglyceride and glucose levels were measured by spectrophotometric methods whereas insulin and leptin levels were measured by ELISA. Pancreatic tissues were examined to distinguish histopathological changes. YSE had increased plasma insulin levels in yucca group compared to the diabetics. There was no significant difference in leptin levels between control and diabetic groups while a significant increase was observed in YSE fed groups compared to others. There was no significant difference among four groups in terms of triglyceride or cholesterol levels. No histological anomalies were observed in pancreatic tissues when compared to the control group, however, STZ-DM induced changes were detected. According to the results of the study, YSE does not have a direct effect on glucose levels in diabetics, however it may act through insulin.

Key words: Diabetes Mellitus, Oxidative stress, Yucca schidigera, Histopathological changes.