Protective effects of aqueous extract of internal septum of walnut fruit on diabetic hepatopathy in streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice

Abstract

Backgrounds and Aim: Treatment of diabetes by ethnomedicinal plants which have fewer side effects than chemical drugs has been on the rise. In this study we assessed hepatoprotective and antidiabetic effects of aqueous extract of internal septum of walnut fruit (ISWF) on diabetic mice. Material and Methods: In this experimental study 35 mature male mice were made diabetic by administration of 60 mg/kg of streptozotocin intraperitoneally. The mice were randomly divided into 5 groups. The negative (non diabetic) and positive (diabetic) control groups received normal saline and the 1st, 2nd and 3rd treatment groups received 0.5 mg/kg of glibenclamide, 200 and 400 μl/kg of aqueous extract of ISWF through gavage respectively for 15 days. On the last day, serum levels of blood glucose, ALT (alanine aminotransferase), AST (aspartate aminotransferase) and ALP (alkaline-phosphatase) were measured. After tissue processing, we measured total volume of the liver, hepatocytes, sinusoids, portal vein, central vein, hepatic arteries and bile ducts in the sections of the tissues. Results: Use of aqueous extract of ISWF in the treatment groups led to significant decrease in blood glucose levels, AST and ALP enzymes and also total volume of liver, sinusoids and central vein (p<0.05) compared to those in the non-treated diabetic group. Conclusion: According to the results, aqueous extract of ISWF, can regulate the blood glucose level and inhibit hepatic damage in streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice. Key Words: Internal septum of walnut fruit, Streptozotocin, Diabetes, Liver, Mice. Received: May 30, 2017 Accepted: Jan 8, 2018

Keywords

• internal septum of walnut fruit
• streptozotocin
• diabetes
• liver
• mice.