ANTIOXIDANT AND ANTIDIABETIC ROLE OF PETROSELINUM CRISPUM AGAINST STZ-INDUCED DIABETES IN RATS

Abstract

Petroselinum crispum (Parsley) has been reported to have a number of possible medicinal attributes. The aim of this work is to evaluate the ameliorative effect of parsley aqueous extract (PAE) against STZ-induced diabetic rats. Gliclazide was used as hypoglycemic standard drug. Total phenolic content (TPC), total flavenoid content (TFC) and ferric reducing power were determined in PAE. STZ was injected subcutaneously in four doses (27.25mg/kg b.wt. as initial dose followed by three low doses, 11.25 mg/kg b.wt.) within two weeks. Sixty diabetic rats were equally divided into four groups as the following: control diabetic rats, diabetic rats treated with PAE, gliclazide and a combination of both. In addition, sixty normal rats were equally divided into four control groups as the following: control non-treated rats, rats treated with PAE, gliclazide and a combination of both. The treatment of normal and diabetic rats lasted for 45 days. The obtained results revealed a relatively high TPC and TFC with considerable antioxidant capacity as evaluated by FRAP assay. STZ injection induced a significant increase in blood glucose and plasma MDA levels in association with a significant decrease of serum insulin level, erythrocyte SOD activity. Pancreatic β-cell and expression of caspase-3 were affected by STZ injection as evaluated by immunohistochemical examination. Administration of PAE to diabetic rats significantly attenuated the undue effects of STZ and preserving pancreatic β-cells integrity. In conclusion, PAE is a potent hypoglycemic agent that preserves and protects β-cells of pancreas against oxidative damage.

Keywords: Hyperglycemia, Petroselinum crispum, Gliclazide, Caspase-3, Insulin antibody and In- vitro antioxidant studies.