title: Antidiabetic, antioxidant, and antilipid peroxidative activities of Dracocephalum polychaetum shoot extract in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats: In vivo and in vitro studies.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Dracocephalum polychaetum Bornm. (Lamiaceae) is used in folk medicine and contains antioxidant agents.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The objective of this study is to investigate the antidiabetic, antioxidant, and antilipid peroxidative properties of methanol extract of D. polychaetum aerial parts.
  
  
  METHODS
  The effect of extract (200, 300, and 400 mg/kg, b.w.) on oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) was investigated. Also, extract (300 mg/kg) administered orally in diabetic rats for 14 d then, serum levels of some biochemical factors were evaluated. Pancreas samples were used for the determination of malondealdehyde (MDA) level, glutathione (GSH) content, superoxide dismutase, and catalase enzyme activities. Red blood cells (RBCs) and plasma were used for MDA estimation. Pancreatic α-amylase inhibition, DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl), and FRAP (ferric reducing antioxidant power) assays were done. The total flavonoid content of the extract was determined by spectrophotometry.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Extract (300 mg/kg) decreased serum glucose level (27.1%) significantly at 120 min in OGTT. Serum levels of creatinine, triglycerides, cholesterol, alanine amino transferase and MDA levels in plasma, RBCs, and pancreas significantly decreased in treated (300 mg/kg) diabetic rats, while pancreatic GSH content, superoxide dismutase, and catalase enzymatic activities increased (p < 0.05). The IC50 values for the extract and butyl hydroxyanisole were 5.6 and 1.15 mg/mL in DPPH and 0.155 and 0.062 mg/mL in the FRAP methods, respectively. The extract had no inhibitory effect on α-amylase activity. The total amount of flavonoids of the extract was estimated to be 1.8% (g/g) on the basis of quercetin content.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Dracocephalum polychaetum shoot extract has antioxidant, antihyperlipidemic, and antilipid peroxidative properties.
authors.affiliation: a Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences , Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman , Kerman , Iran .
authors.forename: Iran
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Pouraboli
authors.affiliation: a Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences , Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman , Kerman , Iran .
authors.forename: Somaye
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Nazari
authors.affiliation: a Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences , Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman , Kerman , Iran .
authors.forename: Nazanin
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Sabet
authors.affiliation: b Herbal and Traditional Medicines Research Center, Faculty of Pharmacy, Kerman University of Medical Sciences , Kerman , Iran , and.
authors.forename: Fariba
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Sharififar
authors.affiliation: c Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine , Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences , Tehran , Iran.
authors.forename: Mahvash
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Jafari
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D001713:Biphenyl Compounds / Q000737:chemistry; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000032:analysis; D003921:Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005951:Glucose Tolerance Test; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000960:Hypolipidemic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D019686:Lamiaceae / Q000737:chemistry*; D015227:Lipid Peroxidation / Q000187:drug effects*; D008297:Male; D008315:Malondialdehyde / Q000097:blood; D010851:Picrates / Q000737:chemistry; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018520:Plant Shoots / Q000737:chemistry; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D013311:Streptozocin
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D015415:Biomarkers; D001713:Biphenyl Compounds; D001786:Blood Glucose; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents; D000960:Hypolipidemic Agents; D010851:Picrates; D010936:Plant Extracts; D008315:Malondialdehyde; D013311:Streptozocin; C004931:1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl
keywords: Alpha-amylase inhibitory activity; MDA; diabetes mellitus; medicinal plants; pancreas