The purpose of the present study was to investigate the antihyperglycemic and antioxidant effects of Globularia alypum (Ga) methanolic extract in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats (50 mg/kg, i.p.). Twenty diabetic rats were divided into two groups; one group was fed a casein diet supplemented with Ga extract (1 g/kg body weight), for 4 weeks, and the other group went untreated. In Ga-treated compared to untreated rats, glycemia and HbA1c values were respectively 5.2- and 3.6-fold lower. Plasma total cholesterol, triacyglycerols levels and transaminases activities were decreased significantly (P<0.05). TBARS concentrations were diminished by -39% in plasma, -42% in liver, -51% in heart, -32% in brain and -36% in kidney. Increased GSH concentrations were noted in liver (+40%), brain (+25%) and kidney (+36%). In addition, a higher superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity was noted in liver (+27%), muscle (+22%) and kidney (+24%), while glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity was increased by +25% in liver, +29% in heart and +20% in kidney. Liver and kidney glutathione reductase (GSSG-Red) and catalase (CAT) activities were increased significantly (p<0.05). Globularia alypum extract reduces remarkably glycemia, plasma lipids and has beneficial effects on the redox status. This extract gives a promising perspective for the treatment of diabetes.
©2011 Walter de Gruyter GmbH & Co. KG, Berlin/Boston
