Purpose: Regarding reported antidiabetic effect of Satureja khuzestanica essential oil (SKEO) and important role of liver on body glucose metabolism by glycogenolysis and gluconeogenesis, we were interested to examine effect of SKEO treatment on rat hepatic key enzymes of glycogenolysis and gluconeogenesis in vivo.
Methods: Effective antidiabetic dose of SKEO (1000 ppm) was administered to rats through drinking water for 2 weeks. After 18 hours fasting post treatment under general anesthesia, the liver was removed by transverse abdominal incision and perfused with cold 0.9% saline and kept frozen at -70 degrees C until homogenized. The activities of the key enzymes glycogen phosphorylase (GP) and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPKC) were analyzed in the homogenate. Blood sample was taken by cardiac puncture for glucose assay.
Results: SKEO treatment did not affect blood glucose concentrations but decreased hepatic PEPCK activity by 26% (P<0.01) of control and increased hepatic GP by 24% (P<0.01) of control.
Conclusion: Disturbance of hepatic glucose metabolism is proposed as a mechanism of antidiabetic action of SKEO which could be in relation with antioxidant property of this plant.