HYPOGLYCEMIC AND HYPOLIPIDEMIC EFFECTS OF PHENOLIC OLIVE TREE EXTRACT IN STREPTOZOTOCIN DIABETIC RATS

Objective: The aim of the present study was to determine the effects of an olive tree extract with high polyphenols content on blood glucose level and other related parameters in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Methods: Diabetes was induced in rats by intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (55 mg/kg bw). 72h after injection, rats with fasting blood glucose higher than 2 g/l were used for the experiments. Olive tree extract was administered for 28 d and blood glucose level was measured every 4 d. Total cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL-cholesterol, creatinine, urea, total protein, uric acid, aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase levels, were determined at the end of the experiment. Results: The oral administration of olive tree extract contributes to blood glucose level decreasing in diabetic rats group, which was significantly lower at 4th week compared to the diabetic control rats. Moreover, supplementation by olive tree extract decreased significantly (p<0.05) the values of total cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL-cholesterol, creatinine, urea, total protein, uric acid, aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase resulting from damage caused by streptozotocin treatment. Beside this, significant reduce (p<0.05) in heart disease risk ratio was observed for treated group (4.1±0.14) compared to untreated group (7.64±0.36), which was quite similar to normal rats (4.50±0.36). Studied olive tree extract effects were similar to those of glibenclamide, a well-known antidiabetic drug. Conclusion: Results herein obtained reveal the hypoglycemic effect of this olive tree extract, suggesting his potential use as a natural antidiabetic agent.