Abstract
Diabetes is a serious public health problem in low- and middle-income countries. There is a strong link between hyperglycemia, oxidative stress, inflammation, and the development of diabetes mellitus. PI3K/Akt/mTOR is the main signaling pathway of insulin for controlling lipid and glucose metabolism. P-cymene is an aromatic monoterpene with a widespread range of therapeutic properties including antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity. In the present study, the antidiabetic effects of p-cymene were investigated. Diabetes was induced using streptozotocin in male Wistar rats. The effects of p-cymene and metformin were studied on levels of glucose (Glu), lipid profile, liver enzymes, oxidative stress, and the expression of Akt, phospho-Akt, and mTOR (mammalian target of rapamycin) proteins, using biochemical, histological, and immunohistochemical analysis. Data have shown that p-cymene can improve serum levels of Glu, total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), malondialdehyde (MDA), and the expression of mTOR, Akt, and phospho-Akt protein in diabetic animals. These results suggest that p-cymene has hypoglycemia, hypolipidemia, and antioxidant properties. It can regulate Akt/mTOR pathway and reduce hepatic and pancreas injury. It can be suggested for diabetes management alone or simultaneously with metformin.