The aim of the present study was to evaluate the possible anti-diabetic potential of Asafetida extract against the pancreatic beta-cells damage from alloxan-induced diabetes in rats and some hormones related to diabetes mellitus. Asafetida induced significant reduction in blood glucose and increasing of serum insulin, our data indicate that the level of glucose in the animals that subjected with alloxan was 10.28 +/- 0.85 mmol L(-1) p < 0.05 comparing with control group 3.27 +/- 0.25 p < 0.05, the level of blood glucose in diabetic group when subjected with Asafetida extract decreasing to 6.75 +/- 0.31 p < 0.05. There was significant amount of insulin secretion in diabetic animals when subjected with Asafetida extract 0.48 +/- 0.05 p < 0.05 in comparison with diabetic animal's 0.33 +/- 0.06 p < 0.05. These findings suggested that Asafetida extract treatment exerts therapeutic protective effect in diabetes by preserving pancreatic beta-cells integrity and significant activity extract, which supports traditional usage to prevent diabetic complications.

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To analyze the influence ofhyperleptinemia on fasting lipid and hematological parameters in healthy Arab male youth in Jordan, this cross-sectional study was carried out in April 2009 on a sample of 120 students aged 18-24 years. Subjects were stratified by fasting leptin into two groups (control, <12.7 ng mL(-1) vs. hyperleptenimic, e_< 12.7 ng mL(-1)) and BMI (normal weight, < 25 kgm(-2) vs. overweight/obese, BMI e_< 25 kg m(-2)). Fasting serum leptin, blood glucose, lipid profile and hematological parameters values were determined by standard kit methods. Mean serum leptin concentrations were more than five times as high in hyperleptenemic subjects than in control subjects (p < 0.001). Compared with control group, significant elevations (p < 0.01) were observed in the means total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol and triglyceride levels of hyperleptenemic group whereas no significant differences was detected in HDL-cholesterol. Except the changes of WBC count, MCH and slightly MCHC, there were no differences between both groups in any other term of hematological parameters. In conclusion, changes in lipid variables and some hematological parameters may increase plasma viscosity as a step during atherosclerosis pathogenesis in male youth at risk for dyslipidemia and cardiovascular diseases. Thus, hyperleptinemia could be a useful index in identifying healthy youth male subjects but this hypothesis needs further investigation.