Background: The global number of people with diabetes mellitus (DM) has more than quadrupled in the last three decades, and it is expected that the number of diabetic patients will rise to 439 million by 2030, therefore many attempts are being made to develop a novel and effective therapy for diabetes. The purpose of this study is to investigate the biochemical and molecular effects of Laurel plant extract and olive leaf extract in diabetic rats induced by streptocytozin (STZ).
Materials and methods: Fifty male Sprague-Dawley mature rats with age (8-10 weeks) weighing 180 ± 20 gm. were divided into 5 equal groups; Control group, diabetic group, diabetic+ Laurel plant group, diabetic+ Olea europaea L group, and Mix group. fasting blood glucose and insulin levels before and after induction of STZ, glucose transporter GLUT2 gene, serum AST, creatinine, Glutathione, and malondialdehyde in plasma were estimated.
Results: the diabetic group had a significantly lower mean weight. Glucose level in the diabetic group was significantly high compared to controls. In the diabetic group, the mean gene expression of GLUT2 was significantly higher compared to the control group with lower insuline level, elevated Malondialdehyde (P < .001) and reduced Glutathione levels than controls. All results were reversed with the treatment of Laurel plant and Olea europaea L.
Conclusion: Laural and Olive Leaf extracts shown promising anti-diabetic activity in diabetic albino rats. This might act as a stepping stone to the identification of new safe and effective anti-diabetic treatments..