Evaluation of the effect of Cynara scolymus L. Feeding on Serum Glucose and Lipids in Female Diabetic Rats

The effect of Cynara scolymus L. (CS) feeding on serum glucose and lipids was investigated in an experimental model of diabetes mellitus. Female rats were divided into equal-sized control CS-treated control, diabetic, and CS-treated diabetic groups. To induce diabetes, Streptozotcin (STZ) was intraperitoneally administered (60 mg/Kg, single dose). CS-treated groups received CS mixed with standard pelleted food at a weight ratio of 6.25% for 6 weeks. Serum glucose and lipid levels were measured before the study and at weeks 3 and 6. Serum glucose level showed a significant increase in diabetic animals (P<0.0001) and at 6th week, this was significantly attenuated in CS-treated diabetic group (P<0.005) compared to the untreated diabetics. Moreover, serum triglyceride level was inappropriately higher in CS-treated diabetic group compared to diabetics. In addition, serum total cholesterol level was non-significantly lower in CS-treated diabetic group compared to the diabetic one. On the other hand, HDL-cholesterol level was significantly higher in CS-treated control and the diabetic groups as compared to the untreated control and diabetic groups (p<0.005-0.001). In addition, LDL-cholesterol reduced in treated diabetic rats compared to the diabetics (p<0.005). Oral administration of CS has hypoglycemic effect and leads to appropriate changes in serum HDL- and LDL-cholesterol in diabetic rats.