Comparative effects of metformin and Cistus laurifolius L. extract in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rat model: oxidative, inflammatory, apoptotic, and histopathological analyzes

Interest in phytochemical therapy methods in the treatment of diabetes is increasing day by day. Although the antidiabetic and antioxidant effects of Cistus laurifolius L. (CL) have been mentioned, the systemic effects remain unknown. The present study aims at evaluating the antidiabetic effects of the CL aqueous extract via metformin on streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. Forty male Wistar albino rats were divided into five groups of eight animals each: control, diabetic group (55mg/kg STZ), STZ+125mg/kg CL, STZ+250mg/kg CL, and STZ+100mg/kg metformin. The effects of CL and metformin on oxidative, apoptotic, and inflammatory pathways were comparatively investigated. In addition, nuclear factor-kappa B (NF kappa B), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), and interleukin (IL)-1 beta expressions analysis were carried out. CL treatment resulted in a significant improvement in blood glucose levels, lipid profile, pancreatic markers, and liver and kidney function tests. A 250mg/kg CL treatment decreased by 67.9%, 31.6%, 66.8%, 28.3%, and 31.4% in the total oxidant capacity, NF kappa B, TNF-alpha, IL-1 beta, caspase3, and cytochrome c levels, respectively, compared to the diabetic group. Additionally, CL treatments showed a dose-dependent reduction in NF kappa B, TNF-alpha, and IL-1 beta expression levels. A 250mg/kg CL treatment exhibited a greater increase (by 9.6%) in total antioxidant capacity than metformin. CL treatment provided histologically more improvement in the brain, heart, pancreas, spleen, liver, kidney, and testicular tissues compared to the metformin group. Our results suggest that the single treatment of CL aqueous extract at the low doses may have stronger short-term anti-diabetic effects than metformin. Therefore, further studies are needed regarding the long-term hypoglycemic effect or treatment of CL aqueous extract.

Automated summary

The study evaluated the antidiabetic effects of CL aqueous extract on STZ-induced diabetic rats and found that CL treatment significantly improved blood glucose levels, lipid profile, pancreatic markers, and liver and kidney function tests. CL treatment also showed dose-dependent reductions in oxidative, apoptotic, and inflammatory pathways, as well as a greater increase in total antioxidant capacity compared to metformin. Additionally, CL treatment provided histologically more improvement in various tissues compared to metformin, suggesting that CL aqueous extract may have stronger short-term anti-diabetic effects than metformin.