Effects of a Hydroalcoholic Extract of Walnut Male Flowers on Diabetic Rats

Abstract

Background : Diabetes is a metabolic disorder resulting from defects in insulin secretion and function. Walnut is used in traditional medicine to treat diabetes. In this study we evaluated the anti-diabetic effects of the hydroalcoholic extract of walnut male flowers in streptozocin diabetic rats and its probable side effects on the liver.Materials and Methods : Eighty adult male Wistar rats were randomly selected and divided into 4 subgroups including a control (N=8) with no intervention, witness group receiving normal saline and another 3 groups of rats each receiving either 2, 4, or 6 g/kg of the extract per day for 15 days. Diabetic groups of rats each treated with the above doses of the extract for the aforementioned period of time, and a group of 8 diabetic rats without any further treatment. Eight rats were also used to determine the LD50 of streptozotocin. Diabetes was induced in rats by injection of 60 mg/kg of streptozotocin. At the end of the experimental period, blood was taken from the experimental and control groups and the serum levels of insulin, glucose and liver enzymes (ALT, AST, ALP) were measured.Results : Results showed that the hydro-alcoholic extract of walnut male flowers increased the levels of insulin, decreased blood glucose, AST and ALP enzymes in the treated diabetic groups compared to the non-treated group (p