Effect of aqueous extract of sumac (Rhus coriaria L.) on the level of blood glucose and serum lipids in diabetic rats

Sumac is a shrub with a long history in traditional medicine and due to the phenolic compounds, it has been used as strong antioxidant in treatment of diseases. According to the importance of medicinal plants with the least side effects, in this study the aqueous extract of sumac (Rhus coriaria L.) was investigated to determine the antidiabetic effects. In this experiment, 30 adult male Wistar rats, with average weight of 180-230 g, were used, divided into 5 groups of 6 each. The rats in the control group were injected with physiological serum with the same volume of injection material. The rats in the second group were made diabetic by intraperitoneal injection of Alloxan monohydrate (120 mg/kgbw). In addition to the same treatment of the second group, the rats of third, fourth and fifth groups were orally treated by aqueous extract of sumac at 50, 100 and 250 mg/kgbw for four weeks. Blood glucose level was measured at the start of treatment and at the end of the second and fourth weeks. At the end of 28 days, rats were bled from the heart and total cholesterol, triglycerides, serum LDL-C and HDL-C were measured.Treatment with extract of sumac resulted in a significant reduction in blood glucose, triglyceride, cholesterol and serum LDL-C in comparison to diabetic group (p<0.05). Changes in serum HDL-C in the groups treated with the extract were not significant compared to diabetic group. Results showed that the aqueous extract of sumac in an experimental model of diabetes mellitus in rats caused appropriate changes in the level of blood glucose and serum lipids.