title: The protective effects of Ziziphus vulgaris L. fruits on biochemical and histological abnormalities induced by diabetes in rats.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Diabetes mellitus arises from a deficient production and action of insulin. Ziziphus vulgaris L. (jujube) is a medicinal plant that is known to have anti-diabetic actions. The aim of the present study was to investigate the protective effects of jujube fruit powder and extract against biochemical imbalances in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetes.
  
  
  METHODS
  Diabetes was induced in rats using intraperitoneal injection of STZ at a dose of 60 mg/kg body weight (bw). Jujube powder (1 g/kg bw) and extract (1 g/kg bw) were administered daily via gavage, from two weeks prior to three weeks after STZ injection. Serum concentrations of glucose, insulin, and lipids and histological changes of the pancreas tissue were assessed at the end of study.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The kaempferol content of jujube extract was found to be 0.013 ± 0.0005% (w/w). Two weeks of supplementation with jujube powder resulted in a significant reduction of serum glucose levels compared with the non-diabetic control group prior to STZ treatment. Both jujube preparations prevented serum insulin decrease following STZ treatment, increased antioxidant capacity, and reduced total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides, and malondialdehyde levels. Jujube powder reduced serum low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and C-reactive protein concentrations while jujube extract had no effect on these parameters. Histopathological examination revealed a significant attenuation of pancreatic inflammation in the jujube-treated animals.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The present findings suggest a protective role of jujube supplementation, in particular in the powdered form, against diabetes-induced biochemical and histopathological abnormalities.
authors.forename: Najmeh
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Goli-malekabadi
authors.forename: Sedigheh
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Asgary
authors.forename: Bahman
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Rashidi
authors.forename: Mahmood
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rafieian-Kopaei
authors.forename: Mostafa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ghannadian
authors.forename: Shabnam
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hajian
authors.forename: Amirhossein
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sahebkar
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000378:metabolism; D003921:Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D005638:Fruit / Q000737:chemistry; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007249:Inflammation / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D007328:Insulin / Q000097:blood; D044949:Kaempferols / Q000032:analysis / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008315:Malondialdehyde / Q000097:blood; D010179:Pancreas / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011208:Powders; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D031957:Ziziphus / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D001786:Blood Glucose; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents; D007328:Insulin; D044949:Kaempferols; D008055:Lipids; D010936:Plant Extracts; D011208:Powders; D008315:Malondialdehyde; C006552:kaempferol; D002097:C-Reactive Protein