Effects of a triplex mixture of Peganum harmala, Rhus coriaria, and Urtica dioica aqueous extracts on metabolic and histological parameters in diabetic rats. (August 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Abedi Gaballu, Fereydoon; Abedi Gaballu, Yousef; Moazenzade Khyavy, Omid; Mardomi, Alireza; Ghahremanzadeh, Kazem; Shokouhi, Behrooz; Mamandy, Himan
• Is Part Of: Pharmaceutical biology. Volume 53:Number 8(2015:Aug.)
• Page Start: 1104
• Page End: 1109
• Publication Date: 2015-08
• Subjects: Pharmacognosy -- Periodicals; Materia medica, Vegetable -- Periodicals; 615.321
• DOI: 10.3109/13880209.2014.960943
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1388-0209

Abstract

<abstract> <title>Abstract</title> <p> <italic>Context</italic>: Several therapeutic effects such as antioxidant and blood glucose-lowering activities have been reported for <italic>Peganum harmala</italic> L (Zygophyllaceae) (PH) seeds, <italic>Rhus coriaria</italic> L (Anacardiaceae) (RC) fruits, and <italic>Urtica dioica</italic> L (Urticaceae) (UD) leaves.</p> <p> <italic>Objective</italic>: This study investigates the effects of a triplex mixture (1:1:1) of these medicinal plants on metabolic and histological parameters in diabetic rats.</p> <p> <italic>Materials and methods</italic>: Aqueous extracts of PH, RC and UD were administered as either monotherapy or in combination at a final dose of 200 mg/kg to alloxan-induced diabetic rats by daily gavage. Biochemical parameters including blood glucose, liver function-related enzymes, lipid profile, and creatinine were estimated by spectrophotometric methods. Tissues from the liver and kidney stained with hematoxylin/eosin were histologically examined. The results obtained from the exposure groups were compared to either healthy or diabetic control groups.</p> <p> <italic>Results</italic>: Compared with the diabetic control rats, all aqueous extracts (ED<sub>50</sub> = 11.5 ± 2.57 mg/ml) led to significant decreases in the levels of ALP (1.39–2.23-fold, <italic>p </italic>< 0.05), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) (1.79–3.26-fold, <italic>p </italic>< 0.05), and blood glucose (1.27–4.16-fold, <italic>p </italic>< 0.05). The serum concentrations of TG was decreased only by treatment with UD and triplex mixture (1.25- and 1.20-fold, respectively, <italic>p </italic>< 0.05). Among the studied parameters, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), LDL-C, TG, and creatinine recovered to healthy control levels after 4 weeks of treatment with the extract mixture.</p> <p> <italic>Conclusion</italic>: This study showed that PH, RC, and UD extracts, especially their combination, had significant antidiabetic, hypolipidemic, and liver and renal damage recovering effects.</p> </abstract>