Effect of Arctium Lappa Root Extract on Glucose Levels and Insulin Resistance in Rats with High Sucrose Diet

Diabetes Mellitus is a growing health problem in all over the world. Arctium Lappa has been used therapeutically in Europe، North America and Asia. Antioxidants and antidiabetic compounds have been found in the root of Arctium Lappa. This study intends to investigate the effects of Arctium Lappa root aqueous extract on glucose، insulin levels and Fasting Insulin Resistance Index in female rats with high sucrose diet. 40 female Wistar rats weighting 150-250 (g) were applied. After having a diet induced by sucrose 50% in drinking water for 5 weeks، the animals were randomly divided into two groups of control، sucrose induced، and three groups of sucrose induced along with Arctium Lappa root aqueous extract (50،100،200 mg/Kg) (8 rats in each group). Treatment by extracts was used during 2 weeks (i. p.) and 24 hours after the last treatment، heart blood samples were gathered. After Blood samples were centrifuged، fasting plasma glucose (12 h) was determined by kit and fasting insulin concentration was assayed by Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (Elisa) methods. Glucose levels، insulin and FIRI in sucrose group significantly increased in comparison with control group. Glucose levels in aqueous extract groups; 50 mg/kg (116. 14±16. 64mg/dl) and 200 mg/kg (90. 66±22. 58 mg/dl) in comparison with sucrose group (140. 5±18. 73 mg/dl) significantly decreased. Insulin level and FIRI in all of aqueous extract groups were significantly decreased (P<0. 001) in comparison with sucrose group. Arctium Lappa root aqueous extracts in animal model has revealed significant decrease in blood glucose and insulin levels.