Role of a combination of myrtle extract and fish oil supplementation in improving endothelial dysfunction in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

Background/aim Diabetes mellitus is one of the most important systemic diseases in the world and considered as the leading cause of endothelial dysfunction. Our previous studies have been clarified the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antidiabetic effects of myrtle extract and fish oil. This study aimed to explore the effect of supplementation of a combination of myrtle extract and fish oil in improving the endothelial dysfunction associated with diabetes. Materials and methods Sixty albino rats were classified into three groups (20 rats each): control group, diabetic group, and treated diabetic group that received myrtle extract and fish oil. Plasma 5-lipoxygenase (5-LOX), interleukin-1β, tumor necrosis factor α, lipoxin-A4, asymmetric dimethylarginine, nitric oxide, glucose, insulin, insulin resistance, and cell membrane fatty acids [arachidonic acid (ω-6), linoleic acid (ω-6), α-linolenic acid (ω-3), and oleic acid (ω-9)] were estimated. Results Using a combination of myrtle extract and fish oil induced significant decrease in the plasma level of 5-lipoxygenase, asymmetric dimethylarginine, arachidonic acid (ω-6), linoleic acid (ω-60), and glucose, whereas induced significant increase in lipoxin-A4, nitric oxide, and α-linolenic acid (ω-3). Conclusion A combination of myrtle extract and fish oil has a potential effect that exceed the beneficial role of each of them in reducing endothelial dysfunction as well as oxidative stress and inflammation associated with diabetes mellitus.