Razi Journal of Medical Sciences

    Background:  Use of medicinal plants for attenuation of hyperglycemia and restoration of lipids to normal level is very important in diabetic patients. In this study, the effect of oral administration of Nasturtium officinale on serum levels of glucose and lipids, as well as morphology of Langerhans islets in diabetic rats was investigated.

Methods: In this experimental study, male Wistar rats (n = 36) were divided randomly into 4 groups i.e. control, treated control, diabetic, and treated diabetic groups. The treatment groups received oral administration of plant-mixed pelleted food (6.25%) for 6 weeks. Diabetes was induced in the rats by administrating a single dose of Streptozotocine (60 mg/kg, IP) Serum glucose, triglyceride, total cholesterol, LDL- and HDL- cholesterol levels were determined before the study, and at 3^rd and 6^th weeks after the study. Morphology of Langerhans islets in the 4 groups was evaluated using Gomori monochrome staining method. For statistical analysis of data, Repeated measurement and One-way ANOVA tests were applied using Sigma Stat .

Results:� Treatment of diabetic rats did have a significant hypoglycemic effect (p<0.01). In addition, there were no significant changes regarding serum total cholesterol, HDL- and LDL-cholesterol levels in treated diabetic group as compared to untreated diabetic group. On the other hand, treated diabetic group showed a significant lower level of serum triglyceride as compared to untreated diabetic group (p<0.05). Regarding histology of Langerhans islets, diabetic group showed a lower number of beta cells, and treatment did not produce any beneficial effect in this respect.

Conclusion:  Oral administration of Nasturtium officinale has a significant hypoglycemic effect and leads only to appropriate changes in serum triglyceride.