The Effect of Hydroalcoholic Extract of Ferulago angulata on Liver Function Parameters and Antioxidant Status in Alloxan-Induced Diabetic Rats

Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the hepatoprotective and antioxidant activities of Ferulago angulata Extract (FAE) in experimental diabetic rats.

Materials and Methods: 54 adult male Wistar rats divided into 6 groups (n=9). Diabetes was induced in all animals except those in group 1 by the daily intraperitoneal injection of 120 mg/kg alloxan monohydrate for 3 consecutive days. Experimental diabetic rats in groups 3-5 were orally administered with FAE (200,400, and 800 mg/kg/day, respectively). Group 6 was treated with 150 mg/kg of metformin. At the end of week 4, the rats were anesthetized and then sacrificed by cardiac puncture. Then, the levels of liver markers, malondialdehyde (MDA), and antioxidant enzymes capacity were evaluated in each group.

Results: Treatment with FAE resulted in a significant reduction in aspartate transaminase (AST) and alanine transaminase (ALT) activities as well as in the serum and liver tissue contents of MDA in comparison to the diabetic control group (P<0.001). The FAE-treated diabetic rats showed a significant increase in catalase, glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and super oxide dismutase (SOD) activities of the liver (P-values were dose-dependent). Furthermore, the extract has an ameliorative effect on the histopathological changes of the liver in alloxan induced diabetes.

Conclusions: These findings suggest that FAE can reduce the complications of diabetes, prevent oxidative stress, and improve antioxidant status in diabetic rats.