Effects of Ethanolic Extract of Carrot Seeds on Blood Glucose Level and Liver Tissue in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rats

Carrot seeds have been used in Iranian traditional medicine to treat diabetes mellitus. The aim of the present study was to assess hypoglycemic activity of the ethanolic extract of carrot seeds in normal and diabetic rats. The rats were divided into 5 healthy and diabetic (intraperitoneal administration of streptozotocin 65 mg/kg) groups; seven rats in each group. The rats in each group received ethanolic extract of carrot seeds orally. In the diabetic group the extract was administrated 72 hours after streptozotocin (STZ) injection. In seventh day، the blood glucose was measured using a glucometer. The ethanolic extract of carrot seeds was administrated two times a day in dose of 20، 50، 100، and 150 mg/kg for three days after STZ injection. The extract in dose of 100 mg/kg (P<0. 001)، and 150 mg/kg (P<0. 001) significantly reduced blood glucose level، 72 hours after the first administration of the extract. The results indicate that carrot seeds ethanolic extract has hypoglycemic effects at doses of 100 and 150 mg/kg in diabetic rats. Moreover، this extract possesses beneficial effect in decreasing liver cell injury and congestion in diabetic rats.