Protective effect of hydroalcoholic extract of Raspberry fruit (Rubus fruticosus L.) on serum lipid profile in STZ-induced diabetic male rats

The effect of hydroalcoholic extract of Raspberry fruit (Rubus fruticosus L.) on serum lipids levels in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats was investigated in this study. 50 male Wistar rats weighing 20 ± 200g were divided into 5 groups. The non-diabetic control group, the diabetic control group and the three diabetic experimental groups received the hydroalcoholic extract of Raspberry fruit at doses of 50, 100 and 200 mg / kg. Diabetes was induced by an intraperitoneal injection of STZ (55 mg / kg). After 4 weeks serum samples were collected from all groups and serum lipids were measured. Data were analyzed using SPSS. Results The results showed that serum levels of total cholesterol, LDL and triglyceride significantly increased in diabetic group compared to control group (P <0.001), (P <0.05), (P <0.01). While serum HDL level in the diabetic group was lower than the control group (P <0.05). Moreover, serum levels of total cholesterol, LDL and triglyceride significantly decreased in the diabetic group receiving the hydroalcoholic extract of Raspberry (p <0.05), (P <0.01) and (P <0/001) respectively. The serum HDL level in the diabetic group receiving the raspberry hydroalcoholic extract showed a significant increase in comparison with the diabetic group (P <0.05), (P <0.01).Results of this research showed that diabetes increases the risk of undesirable lipids in the blood serum of rats. Hydroalcoholic extract of raspberries has beneficial effects on reducing lipids due to antioxidant activity.