The effects of Ribes khorasanicum hydro-ethanolic extract on STZ-induced diabetic complications in rats

The anti-diabetic effects of Ribes khorassanicum as a traditional remedy were investigated in diabetic rats. Thirty five male rats were divided into 5 groups: control, diabetic, diabetic treated with metformin (300 mg/kg; D+Met), diabetic treated with 250 and 500 mg/kg of Ribes khorassanicum hydro-ethanolic extract (D+Rib250 and D+Rib500). After 6 weeks of treatment, serum of overnight fasted animals was collected and used for measurement of glucose, insulin, lipid profile, urea, creatinine, and hepatic enzymes levels. Moreover, liver and kidney of rats were removed and used for measurement of oxidative stress included malondialdehyde (MDA), thiol content, and the activity of catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD). Streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetes increased the levels of serum glucose, triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TC), and LDL-C, urea, creatinine, hepatic enzymes, and kidney and liver oxidative stress markers, while decreased insulin and HDL-C when compared to control group (p<0.05-p<0.001). In all treated groups serum levels of glucose, TC, LDL-C, TG, and urea decreased, while liver SOD activity increased compared to the diabetic group (p<0.05-p<0.001). The D+Rib500 group had lower SGPT, creatinine, and kidney MDA levels, but higher insulin, HDL-C levels, liver CAT activity, and kidney thiol content, and CAT activity compared to diabetic group (p<0.05-p<0.001). In D+Met group, serum levels of SGOT, creatinine, and MDA of liver and kidney decreased, while liver SOD activity increased compared to the diabetic group (p<0.05-p<0.001). Based on our findings, treatment with Ribes khorassanicum improved diabetic complications, while the effect of a higher dose of the extract was comparable to metformin’s.