Evaluation of Anti-diabetic Effects of Eryngium Billardieri on Streptozotocin-induced Diabetes in Male Mice

Abstract Background: One of the largest plant genera of the Umbelliferae family is Eryngium including 274 species, of which only 9 species are native to Iran and one of the most dominant species is E. billardieri. Numerous pharmacological effects of E. billardieri such as anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antioxidant have been reported in several studies. Objective: The present study aimed to investigate the anti-diabetic effects of E. billardieri on streptozotocin-induced diabetes in male mice.Methods: The extraction was performed by maceration with 70% ethanol solvent. Forty eight mice, weighing 32 g, were randomly divided into 8 groups (6 mice per group): healthy control, diabetic control (151 mg/kg STZ; IP), healthy extract control group (receiving the high dose of the extract orally), diabetic groups (receiving low dose and high dose of extract in the form of IP and Oral), the treatment group which received STZ (IP) and high dose of the extract group (Oral) for five days. To induce diabetes, a single dose of STZ (151 mg/kg) was injected intra-peritoneally. After diabetes, 100 mg/kg and 300 mg/kg of extract were injected into diabetic animals for 18 days as IP and Oral were given, and finally, serum samples were isolated and stored at -71 °C. Three days before surgery, OGTT test was performed.Results: IP injection of 300 mg/kg of hydroalcoholic extract of E. billardieri reduced the weight of diabetic rats and significantly reduced glucose tolerance. Furthermore, gavage at a dose of 300 mg/kg of extract caused significantly the increase in serum insulin while the decrease in blood sugar, glucose tolerance and malondialdehyde. Conclusion: E. billardieri extract, due to its components, probably increases serum insulin and decreases serum malondialdehyde by two mechanisms including protects pancreatic beta cells from further damage by streptozotocin and stimulation of insulin secretion from the remaining healthy pancreatic beta cells. In other words, part of the beneficial effects of the extract is associated with inhibition of oxidative stress and increased insulin secretion.