Combined effect of Zinc and garlic flowers extract on serum glucose and insulin levels in diabetic rats by streptozotocin

Document Type : Physiology (Animal)

Authors

Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Razi University, Kermanshah, Iran

Abstract

Zinc has beneficial effects in diabetic animals. The positive effects of garlic in lowering blood sugar and side effects of diabetes have been reported.The aim of this study was to investigate the therapeutic effect of zinc sulfate combined with garlic flower extract on serum glucose and insulin levels in diabetic rats induction by streptozotocin (STZ). 21 adult male Wistar rats were divided into 3 groups (n=7), Normal control group, which received regular food and water during 45 days and on 15th day were injected normal saline, the positive control group (diabetic by STZ at a dose 40mg/kg on the fifteenth day), and treatment group, receiving combined of flowers garlic extract at a dose 360mg/Lit and zinc sulfate at a dose 36mg/lit in drinking water during 45-days treatment period after induced diabetes. STZ (40mg/kg intraperitoneally) was injected after treatment. The insulin hormone measured by radioimmunoassay with special kits and blood glucose measured by using enzymatic colorimetric methods. Serum level of insulin in the treatment group increased significantly (p<0.001), compared to the control group respectively.Blood sugar levels in treatment groups showed a significant decreasing (p<0.001) compared to the control group. The results showed that a combination of garlic flowers extract and zinc sulfate as therapeutic agents in induced diabetes give rise to increasing of insulin and decreasing of blood glucose.
 

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