The effect of aqueous extract of barberry fruit on liver damage in streptozotocin - induced diabetic rats

The flavonoids existent in barberry fruit (Berberis integerrima) are considered as antioxidants. The aim of the present study was to assess the effect of aqueous extract of Berberis integerrima fruit (AEBIF) on liver damage in streptozotocin (STZ) - induced diabetic rats. In this experimental study twenty eight male white Wistar rats were randomly designated into four groups. Group 1: nondiabetic control، Group 2: diabetic control، Group 3: diabetic rats treated with AEBIF (250 mg/kg) and Group 4: diabetic rats treated with AEBIF (500 mg/kg). Diabetic rats were treated with gavage injection for 6 weeks. At the end of experiment، levels of functional liver markers (AST، ALT and ALP)، albumin، total bilirubin and proteins were assessed in the serum. Liver tissue samples were collected from the animals in all groups to be investigated. Data was analyzed by one way variance analysis and Tukey’s test using SPSS software. In diabetic rats، AEBIF (250 and 500 mg/kg BW) significantly decreased the levels of serum biomarkers of hepatic injury (P<0. 001) and total bilirubin (P<0. 05 and P<0. 001 respectively); and significantly increased (P<0. 001) the levels of total proteins (only in dose 500 mg/kg). The effect of AEBIF on albumin serum was not significant. AEBIF reduced the tissue damages resulted from diabetes in both doses. Histopathologically، the changes were in the same direction with biochemical findings. AEBIF may improve renal dysfunction in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats by modulation of detoxification enzymes and its antioxidant effects.