Majallah-i Dānishkadah-i ̒ulūm-i Pizishkī-i Niyshābūr (Feb 2018)
The effect of berberine on blood albumin and the liver enzymes in the healthy and streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats
Abstract
Background and Objectives: One of the main organs of the body is the liver, which is responsible for the metabolism of various substances and hormones in the body. Therefore, in order to cope with the destructive effects of diabetes and its complications on the liver enzymes, strong antioxidants were needed. In this study, it was attempted to investigate the effects of berberine on albumin, aspartate aminotransferase (SGOT or AST) and alanine aminotransferase (SGPT or ALT) enzymes. Materials and Methods: In this study, 50 male Wistar rats with a weight range of 180-230g were divided into 5 groups of 10, namely control group (that received citrate buffer as a vehicle), diabetic group (induced by streptozotocin, 55mg/kg IP), diabetics treated with berberine group (berberine treatment, 10mg/kg SC) and diabetics treated with berberine group (berberine treatment, 15mg/kg SC), and diabetics treated with berberine group (berberine treatment, 20mg/kg SC). After two months past of induction of diabetes, medication was injected subcutaneously in the various doses for 2 weeks. Then, samples were examined for the blood factors. Findings: In this study, a significant decrease in serum albumin of the diabetic group was observed compared to the control group and a significant increase in serum albumin of experimental groups was observed versus the diabetic (case) group. In addition, aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase enzymes showed a significant increase in the treatment group compared with the control group. However, a significant decrease was observed in the treated groups versus the diabetic group. Conclusion: This study showed that subcutaneous injection of berberine improves the destructive effects of the diabetic enzymes in the diabetics rats.
