The Effect of Hydroalcoholic Extract of Capparis Spinosa Fruit on Key Enzymes of Glucose Metabolism Pathways in the Liver Cells of Diabetic Rats: An Experimental Study

Since finding new drugs with fewer side effects to reduce blood sugar in diabetics seems necessary, the present study aimed to evaluate the effect of the different doses of Capparis spinosa fruit extract on key enzymes of glucose metabolism pathways in the liver cells of diabetic male rats.

In this experimental study, 60 male Wistar rats were randomly divided into 6 groups. Groups 1-3 were normal (nondiabetic) rats that received distilled water, and 200 and 800 mg/kg extract, respectively, and groups 4-6 were diabetic rats that received distilled water, and 200 and 800 mg/kg extract, respectively. Diabetes induced by intraperitoneal injection of 50 mg/kg streptozotocin. Serum levels of insulin and glucose were measured by special kits, the activity of glucokinase and hexokinase was measured manually, and gene expression of phosphofructokinase-1 and glucose-6-phosphatase was determined by Real Time-PCR. Data was analyzed using non-parametric Kruskal-Wallis H test and post hoc Mann-Whitney U test.

Administration of Capparis spinosa fruit extract decreased the serum level of glucose but increased the serum level of insulin and glucokinase and the level of expression of phosphofructokinase-1 genes in all groups receiving the extract compared to the control groups, and the average activity of glucose-6-phosphatase and hexokinase in different groups was significantly different (p<0.001).

The treatment of diabetic animals with Capparis spinosa fruit extract caused a significant decrease in blood sugar and an increase in serum insulin levels, and also led to an improvement in the activity of enzymes involved in glycolysis. Therefore, it seems that the consumption of this fruit has beneficial effects on blood sugar and insulin secretion as well as sugar metabolism.