Abstract

The Otostegia persica is traditionally used in some regions of Iran as medicinal herb for anti–diabetic properties. Thus, in this study the effect of aqueous extract of O. persica on the blood glucose, insulin, triglycerides, HDL-C, total cholesterol, and histopathology of pancreas of streptozotocin (STZ) induced diabetic rats were evaluated. Thirty five male Wistar rats weighing 150-200 g were randomized into five groups as follows: The control group (C); the diabetic control group (DC); and T₁₀₀, T₂₀₀, and T₄₀₀ as diabetics groups that were treated with daily doses of O. persica extract. Experimental diabetes was induced by intraperitoneal injection of STZ. The fasting blood sugar, insulin, triglycerides, total cholesterol and HDL-C were assayed. Pancreatic samples were taken for light microscopy, and histopathology effects of O. persica extract was evaluated.  During the 10^th, 20^th and 30^th days of study, the fasting blood sugar of animals treated with all doses of O. persicaextract (especially  400 mg/ kg b.w) was significantly decreased comparing to the DC groups (p < 0.05). Also, on the 30^th day of experiment in the T₄₀₀ group, the serum triglycerides, and homeostasis model assessments for insulin resistance (HOMA.IR) were decreased comparing to the DC group. Histopathological images showed the decrease in mass and number of β- cells of pancreases in the T₄₀₀ comparing to the DC group at the end of study. Therefore O. persica could be considered as medicinal herbal candidate for remedy of diabetes.

Key words: Cholesterol, diabetes, HDL-C, Insulin, insulin resistance, Otostegia persica, triglycerides.

Abbreviation

ELISA, Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay; FBS, fasting blood sugar;HOMA.IR, homeostasis model assessments for insulin resistance; HDL-C, high density lipoprotein-cholesterol; STZ, streptozotocin.