HYPOGLYCEMIC, HEPATO-RENAL AND ANTIOXIDANT POTENTIAL EFFECTS OF <i>CHAMOMILE</i> RECUTITA FLOWERS ETHANOLIC EXTRACT IN STREPTOZOTOCIN-DIABETIC RATS

Abstract

This study was undertaken to evaluate the hypoglycemic and hepatorenal protective effect of ethanolic extract of Chamomile recutita flowers in streptozotocin-Diabetic Rats. Before the beginning of the experiments, acute and subacute studies were carried out in control animals first to investigate the LD50 of this extract. In the experimental design, adult male albino rats were divided into five groups: (1) normal control, (2) control + extract, (3) diabetic control, (4) diabetic+extract and (5) diabetic+glibenclamide (200 µg kg −1). The extract was given to the desired groups at a final dose of 500 mg kg −1 and all treatments were administered orally for 4 weeks on daily basis. Serum glucose, insulin, activities of serum marker enzymes of liver function as well as markers of kidney function was measured. The oxidative stress was assessed by measuring lipid peroxidation (TBARS) and enzyme activities of Glutathione Peroxidase (GPx) superoxide dismutase in both liver and kidney homogenates. The data showed that ethanolic flower extract of Chamomile recutita demonstrated high safety margin since the animals tolerated up to 10000 mg kg −1 body weight of the extract orally in the acute toxicity study and tolerated repeated doses up to 500 mg kg −1 for 28 days. Administration of the extract to control and diabetic rats caused significant decrease in glucose level in serum without improving insulin levels and resulted in significant increases in SOD and GPx activities with a parallel decrease in lipid peroxidation (TBARS levels) in the livers and kidneys. Furthermore, in diabetic rats, treatment with the extract resulted in significant decreases in the serum activities of liver enzymes including AST, ALT and ALP and in the levels of urea and creatinine. The hepatoprotective effect of the extract were confirmed by histological improvements in hepatic and renal tissue of the diabetic treated rats. However, the effect of the extract in diabetic rats was comparable to glibenclamide. This study demonstrates that Chamomile recutita flowers ethanolic extract has potent hypoglycemic, antioxidant and hepatorenal protective effects in diabetic rats.

Preventive role of chamomile flowers and fennel seeds extracts against liver injury and oxidative stress induced by an immunosuppressant drug in rats

“…This appeared from the amelioration of MDA to near normal level and the significant improvement of the GSH and TAC contents. These results agree with that reported for chamomile flowers extract [48,49] and for fennel seeds extract. [16,50] In addition, chamomile flower and fennel seed extract could also significantly decrease serum ALT, AST, and ALP, suggesting their hepatoprotective activity.…”

“…Polyphenols and flavonoids in chamomile flowers extracts and apigenin-7-O-glucoside as the major constituent of chamomile which inhibited cancer cell growth were recorded. [60] Al-Musa and Al-Hashem [49] reported that the administration of ethanolic extract of chamomile flowers to streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats significantly ameliorated the morphological changes in the livers of treated rats. They attributed these effects to its potent antioxidant potential resulting in membrane stability.…”

The synergistic potential of various teas, herbs and therapeutic drugs in health improvement: a review

“…Clinical studies revealed several physiological responses to tea, which may have a significant effect on the prevention, management and treatment of certain chronic diseases . The effects of these teas have been demonstrated in, for example, chamomile tea (500 mg kg −1 for 20 days), which has recently been shown to have a hypoglycaemic effect by causing a significant decrease in the serum glucose levels of both diabetic and non‐diabetic patients …”

“…34,35,87 The effects of these teas have been demonstrated in, for example, chamomile tea (500 mg kg −1 for 20 days), which has recently been shown to have a hypoglycaemic effect by causing a significant decrease in the serum glucose levels of both diabetic and non-diabetic patients. 88 On the contrary, herbal teas such as sage (Salvia officinalis), peppermint, thyme (Thymus vulgaris), absinthium (Artemisia absinthium), roselle, olive leaves (Olea europaea), shrubby blackberry (Rubus fruticosus) relax tea (Hypericum perforatum; a commercial brand containing St. John's Wort, Melissa (Melissa officinalis), garden valerian (Valeriana officinalis), sweet fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) and lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) which have generally been used for the treatment of diabetes did not show any in vitro inhibitory effects on glucose absorption. 27 However, they could contribute to the maintenance of plasma antioxidant levels.…”

Effect of Pioglitazone on Hepatic Ultra-Structure and Metabolic Changes Induced by a High Sucrose Diet in Rats

“…Although the mechanism of IR development not yet exactly known, it has been established that chronic inflammation in key metabolic tissues, including the liver due to fat accumulation is an important pathogenic factor in IR development (Bashir et al, 2014). Hepatic and systemic inflammatory cytokines produced in obesity activate intracellular kinases which capable to inhibit key elements of insulin signaling pathway with subsequent development of insulin resistance (Al-Musa and AL-Hashem, 2014). Tumor Necrosis Factor-α (TNF-α) and Interleukin-6 (IL-6) among several hepatic cytokines are playing an essential role in hepatic inflammatory conditions.…”