Effect of Hydro-Alcoholic Extract of Plantago major Leaf on Serum Level of Insulin, Glucose, and Histology of Pancreas and Kidney in Streptozotocin-induced Diabetic Rats

Diabetes type 1 is caused by the lack of secretion of insulin. In this study, the effect of Plantago major on the serum level of insulin and glucose, and restorative effect of extract on pancreas tissue, and nephropathic effects of diabetes were studied. Thirty male rats were divided into three groups. The first group (healthy control) that was received normal saline, and other two group were diabetized by intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin. One group of diabetic mice received P. major leaf extract 100mg/kg/bw as intraperitoneal injection four 6 weeks and the third group was considered as diabetic control. After the treatment period, taking blood was performed and serum levels of glucose, insulin, creatinine, and BUN were measured. After preparation of tissue sections, H&E and PAS stainings were respectively done for pancreas and kidney. Histological studies were performed with an optical microscope. Data were analyzed using analysis of variance and Tukey's post hoc tests. In this study, P. major leaf extract significantly decreased the serum levels of glucose, BUN, creatinine and significantly increased the serum level of insulin compared to diabetic group (p<0.05). Also, it significantly increased the mean diameter and number of pancreatic islands (p<0.05). Hypoglycemic effect of the extract of P. major leaf could be done through regeneration of pancreatic islands and could improve kidney complications of diabetes.