Abstract
BACKGROUND: Oxidative stress is strongly associated with development of diabetes mellitus. F. vulgaris, contains antioxidant ingredients. This study was designed in order to evaluate the effect of F. vulgaris on the damaged liver in diabetic rats. METHODS: In this study, hydroalcoholic extract of F. vulgaris was prepared. Sixty four male rats were divided into 8 groups (n = 8), including saline (normal control), streptozotocin (STZ) (diabetic control) (60 mg/kg), F. vulgaris (50, 100, 150 mg/kg), and STZ plus F. vulgaris (50, 100, 150 mg/kg) were administered through oral gavage on treated group once a day for 28 consecutive days. Serum nitrite oxide (NO) level, Ferric reducing/antioxidant power (FRAP), Malondialdehyde (MDA), liver weight, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), diameter of hepatocytes and central hepatic vein have been examined. Statistical analysis was performed using one-way analysis of variance and the post hoc test. RESULT: The outcomes showed that administrating streptozotocin enhanced liver MDA, nitrite oxide, the mean diameter of central hepatic vein and hepatocyte, liver enzymes significantly and reduced liver weight compared to saline group (P < 0.05). Though, administrating F. vulgaris and F. vulgaris plus STZ enhanced liver weight and tissue FRAP level significantly and reduced liver enzymes, NO levels, liver MDA, the mean diameter of hepatocyte and central hepatic vein in entire doses were equal to STZ group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: It seems that, were equal F. vulgaris might recover liver injuries in diabetic rats.