2Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Marmara University, Istanbul, 34854, Türkiye
3Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Marmara University, Istanbul 34854, Türkiye DOI : 10.29228/jrp.278 Objective: Diabetes mellitus is a chronic disease characterized by decreased insulin synthesis and/or increased blood glucose due to insulin resistance. In this study, streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats were evaluated and it was aimed to investigate the protective effects of Origanum onites L. (OO) against possible changes in these parameters.
Materials and Methods: Male Sprague-Dawley rats weighing 300-400g were divided into three groups control (C), diabetes mellitus (DM) and diabetes mellitus + OO (OO group). DM was induced by administration of STZ 60 mg/kg dose intraperitoneally (i.p.) after 48 hours, rats with blood glucose values higher than 200 mg/dL were considered DM. Origanum extract was administered i.p. to the OO group at 50 mg/kg per day for 6 weeks.
Results: Serum AST, ALT, creatinine, and inflammatory cytokine levels were measured. MDA and GSH levels were measured in liver tissues. AST, ALT, creatinine, and MDA levels were found to be increased in the DM group, while a significant decrease in these levels was observed in the treated group. While GSH values fell in the DM group, a significant increase occurred in the OO group (n=6, p<0.0001; two-way ANOVA). When the plasma levels of cytokines were examined, an increase was observed in the DM group and a significant decrease was observed in the OO group.
Conclusion: When we evaluate our findings, we think that OO has a protective effect against complications that may occur in DM by preventing oxidant damage and inflammation. Further studies are needed on the protective effects of OO in DM.
Keywords : Diabetes mellitus, oxidative stress, liver, Origanum onites, inflammatory cytokine