HYPOGLYCEMIC EFFECT OF HYDROALCOHOLIC EXTRACT OF CARTHAMUS TINCTORIUS PETAL ON ALLOXAN-INDUCED DIABETIC RATS

Introduction: Nowadays, no-drug treatments (medicinal plants) are novel therapeutic approaches in the treatment of diabetes. This study aimed at assessing the effect of Carthamus tinctorius (Compositae) extract on the blood glucose and lipid profile in diabetic rats. Methods: In this study, 18 male Wistar rats, with body weights of 180 - 220 g were randomly assigned to three groups with six rats per group: nondiabetic control; diabetic control; diabetic rats treated with hydroalcoholic extract of Carthamus tinctorius (200 mg/kg BW); Injections were done intraperitoneally. Rats were fasting for 16h, and then blood samples were collected in heparinated tubes for estimation of blood glucose, insulin, cholesterol and triglyceride. Results: Diabetic rats treated with extract showed a significant decrease in blood glucose level (P<0.05). Furthermore, compared diabetic group, in the extract -treated rats, there was a significant decrease in serum contents of total cholesterol (TC), but a significant increase in insulin level (P<0.05). Histological morphology examination showed that the extract restored the damage of pancreas tissues in rats with diabetes mellitus. Conclusion: These results show that the hydroalcoholic extract of Carthamus tinctorius may be effective in the treatment of diabetes. This effect can be due to the presence of flavonoides and their antioxidant features.