Effects of hydroalcoholic extract of Capparis spinosa on histomorphological changes of pancreas in diabetic rats model

It has been shown that Capparis spinosa fruit has hypoglycemic، antioxidant، antiinflammatory، and analgesic properties. The aim of the present study was to determine the effects of Capparis spinosa fruit on histomorphological changes in pancreas after triggering diabetes mellitus in male rats. Forty Wistar rats (150- 200 g، 6 weeks of age) were randomly divided into five equal groups of 8 animals. Groups III، IV and V received intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin. Blood glucose of the groups was measured، using a glucometer، after 72 hours. After 10 days، Group II، IV and V daily received 30، 20 and 30 mg/kg extract of Capparis spinosa respectively، for three weeks. Blood glucose was measured in the beginning of the study and at the end of every week. Besides، insulin of the blood was measured at the end of the study. The number of β cells and diameter of islets of Langerhans were determined using hematoxylin- phloxine staining. The collected data was analyzed by means of one-way ANOVA، using SPSS software (V: 13). Mean number of β cells and diameter of the islets significantly decreased in the diabetic control group compared to the nondiabetic controls. Histological assessments showed a significant increase in the number of β cells، diameter of islets، and amount of insulin in groups treated with hydroalcoholic extract of Caparis Spinosa compared to the diabetic control group. Administration of Capparis spinosa extract could increase the number of β cells and improve the function of damaged pancreas in diabetic rats.