Hypoglycemic, Hypolipidimic and Protective Effects of Arbutus andrachne Extract in Streptozotocin Induced Diabetic Rats

Abstract: The aim of this study is to investigate the anti-hyperglycemic effect, lipid profile and the activity of certain hepatic enzymes of the ethanolic extract of the plant Arbutus andrachne on streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. About 30 Wistar albino rats weighing between 180-200 g were randomly classified into four categories of six albino rats. The normal control group (group A) was treated orally with distilled water. The diabetic control group (group B) was induced by streptozotocin. So, this group is considered as a negative control. The non diabetic rats (group C) which was treated with the ethanolic extract of the plant A. andrachne that collected from Jerash/Jordan of a dose 200 mg kg!1. The last group (Group D) which included the diabetic rats that treated with 200 mg kg-1 of the ethanoilc extract of the plant A. andrachne. The treatment was carried out daily for 14 days. The glucose, triglycerides, cholesterol and hepatic enzymes levels were quantified in serum of experimental rats. Study was carried out in Faculty of Pharmacy/Applied Science University (December, 2018) and Botany Lab, Department of Biological sciences/University of Jordan. The results unambiguously showed that there was significant declines (p<0.05) in triglycerides and glucose levels in albino rats that treated with A. andrachne ethanolic extract compared with group B, the control group of diabetic rats. Significant reduction (p<0.05) in hepatic enzymes -AST and ALT-levels were also observed in rats treated with the plant ethanoilc extract compared with group B experimental rats. However, no significant changes in the cholesterol level were observed in the treated rats compared with the control group. Data in this piece of research revealed that the plant A. andrachne ethanolic extract has both hypoglycemic and hypolipidimic effect. This extract is suggested to reduce the liver damage induced by streptozotocin through maintaining the activity of hepatic enzymes.