The protective effect of Zataria multiflora Boiss. hydroalcoholic extract on TNF-α production, oxidative stress, and insulin level in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

Abstract

<strong><span style="font-size: medium;">Objective:</span></strong><span style="font-size: medium;"> Oxidative stress leads to reactive oxygen species (ROS) overproduction, which causes tissue injury in diabetic patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of <em>Zataria multiflora</em></span><span style="font-size: medium;"> extract on TNF-α, oxidative stress products, and insulin levels as well as lipid profile in diabetic rats.</span><br /> <strong><span style="font-size: medium;">Materials and Methods:</span></strong><span style="font-size: medium;"> Rats were randomly divided into 6 groups of 10 animals. Diabetes was induced by a single injection of streptozotocin (STZ). Control and diabetic control rats orally received 1 mL/day of normal saline, whereas the other three groups received 250, 500 and 1000 mg/kg/day of <em>Z. multiflora</em></span><span style="font-size: medium;"> extract, and one non-diabetic group orally received 1000 mg/kg/day </span><em><span style="font-size: medium;">Z. multiflora</span></em><span style="font-size: medium;"> extract, for 28 days. At the end of the treatment course, rats were anesthetized and their serum samples were analyzed for TNF-α, malondialdehyde (MDA), super oxide dismutase (SOD), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), lipid profile, total plasma protein, blood glucose, insulin, and liver enzymes levels. </span><br /> <strong><span style="font-size: medium;">Results:</span></strong><span style="font-size: medium;"> Our results showed that cholesterol, LDL, TG, MDA and TNF-α levels decreased, but HDL, SOD, TAC, and total protein increased significantly in the diabetic group receiving 1000 mg/kg<em> Z. multiflora</em></span><span style="font-size: medium;"> compared to the diabetic control group (P<0.05). Moreover, blood glucose level was significantly reduced following administration of different concentrations of Z.</span><em><span style="font-size: medium;"> multiflora</span></em><span style="font-size: medium;">. Liver sections of diabetic rats treated with Z. </span><em><span style="font-size: medium;">multiflora</span></em><span style="font-size: medium;"> 1000 mg/kg showed normal hepatocytes and restoration of liver architecture.</span><br /> <strong>Conclusion:</strong> <em>Z. multiflora</em> extract ameliorated oxidative stress, TNF-α serum level, lipid abnormality, blood glucose, and liver damage in rats with diabetes mellitus.