Hypoglycemic and hepatoprotective activity of Rosmarinus officinalis extract in diabetic rats

J Physiol Biochem. 2013 Dec;69(4):779-83. doi: 10.1007/s13105-013-0253-8. Epub 2013 Apr 28.

Abstract

The present study examined the effect of water extract (200 mg/kg body weight) of Rosmarinus officinalis L. in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats for 21 days. The hepatoprotective effects were investigated in the liver tissues sections. There was a significant increase in serum liver biochemical parameters (aspartate aminotransferase, alanine transaminase, and alkaline phosphatase), accompanied by a significant decrease in the level of total protein and albumin in the STZ-induced rats when compared with that of the normal group. The high-dose treatment group (200 mg/kg body wt) significantly restored the elevated liver function enzymes near to normal. This study revealed that rosemary extracts exerted a hepatoprotective effect. The results indicate that the extract exhibits the protective effect on tissues and prove its potentials as an antidiabetic agent.

MeSH terms

  • Alanine Transaminase / metabolism
  • Alkaline Phosphatase / metabolism
  • Animals
  • Aspartate Aminotransferases / metabolism
  • C-Peptide / metabolism
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental / drug therapy*
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental / enzymology
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental / pathology
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Hypoglycemic Agents / isolation & purification
  • Hypoglycemic Agents / pharmacology*
  • Insulin / blood
  • Liver / drug effects*
  • Liver / enzymology
  • Liver / pathology
  • Male
  • Phytotherapy*
  • Plant Extracts / isolation & purification
  • Plant Extracts / pharmacology*
  • Rats
  • Rosmarinus / chemistry*
  • Streptozocin

Substances

  • C-Peptide
  • Hypoglycemic Agents
  • Insulin
  • Plant Extracts
  • Streptozocin
  • Aspartate Aminotransferases
  • Alanine Transaminase
  • Alkaline Phosphatase