Hypoglycemic and Hypolipidemic Effects of Allium Ursinum in Diabetic Rats

The hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic effects of Allium ursinum(AU) were investigated in an experimental model of diabetes mellitus, invitro. Male Wistar rats were divided into control, AU-treated control, diabetic glibenclamide-treated, and AU-treated diabetic groups. For induction of diabetes, streptozocin(STZ) was intraperitoneally administered(60 mg/Kg). AU-treated groups received AU mixed with standard pelleted food at a weight ratio of 1% for 2 months. Serum glucose and lipids levels were determined before the study and at the 4th and 8th week after the study. Serum glucose was significantly lower in AU-treated diabetic rats at the end of the 4th and 8th weeks(p<0.005 and p<0.01 respectively) as compared to untreated diabetics. Serum total cholesterol, triglyceride, and HDL-cholesterol levels did not show a significant change in AU-treated diabetic rats as compared to untreated diabetics. On the other hand, LDL-cholesterol levels decreased in AU-treated diabetic group as compared to untreated diabetic group(p<0.05). Oral administration of AU has a significant hypoglycemic effect and in long term leads to decreased levels of serum LDL-cholesterol in diabetic rats.