Antidiabetic, Antihyperlipidemic and Antioxidant Effects of Artemisia herba alba Extract on Experimental Diabetes

Abstract

A B S T R A C TArtemisia herba alba was widely used in traditional medicine for the treatment of diabetes. The objective of this study was to evaluate the antidiabetic, antihyperlipidemic and antioxidant effects of Artemisia herba alba extract on high fat diet and diabetic models. Wistar albinos male rats were divided into four groups, the first was fed with high fat diet, the second was mimetic diabetes type II with high fat diet combined with double low dose of streptozotocin , the third was a model of type I diabetes with high dose of streptozotocin and the fourth was a control group. The ethanolic extract of Artemisia herba alba was given orally (2 g kgG 1 b.wt.) and daily for a period of 8 weeks. Our results showed that Artemisia herba alba treatment reduces the blood glucose level significantly in type II diabetic group (17.50±2.34 g LG 1 vs., 10.93±3.19 g LG 1 ). The plasma lipoproteins HDL, LDL-cholesterol and the triglyceride levels were altered by high fat diet and also by streptozotocin injection. These levels were also reverted back to near normalcy by treatment. Lipid peroxidation was decreased significantly by Artemisia herba alba supplementation in high fat diet and diabetic groups (p<0.05). Treatment with investigational drug increases antioxidant enzymes activities (superoxide dismutase and catalase in liver and kidneys) for type I and type II diabetic groups. In conclusion, this study suggests that the Artemisia herba alba has a beneficial effect in controlling diabetes by reducing lipid peroxidation and increasing antioxidant enzymes activities, which reduces the risk of developing diabetes complications.