title: Effects of aqueous extract of alfalfa on hyperglycemia and dyslipidemia in alloxan-induced diabetic Wistar rats.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of aqueous extract of alfalfa on blood glucose and serum lipids in alloxan-induced diabetic rats.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty-two adult male Wistar rats weighing 210-250 g were selected and divided randomly into four groups of eight animals each for 21 days as follows: (1) control group, (2) diabetic control group, (3) diabetic group plus aqueous extract of alfalfa (250 mg/l), and (4) diabetic group plus aqueous extract of alfalfa (500 mg/l). Serum concentrations of total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), triglycerides (TG), very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL), glucose, and the liver enzymes such as aspartate transaminase (AST) and alanine transaminase (ALT) were measured at the end of period in all studied groups.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Administration of 250 and 500 mg/l aqueous alfalfa extract resulted in a significantly decreased glucose, TC, TG, LDL-C, VLDL, ALT, and AST levels and increased HDL levels as compared with the control group and diabetic control group (p< 0.05). Histological examination showed that the aqueous alfalfa extract caused reconstruction of damaged liver and pancreas.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These results suggest that aqueous alfalfa extract revealed significant effects on blood lipids and glucose levels in diabetic rats and might be useful in prevention and treatment of diabetes. However, further studies are needed to determine the exact impacts of those effects.
authors.affiliation: Clinical Biochemistry, Payame Noor University , Isfahan, Iran.
authors.forename: Masomeh Khosravi
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Farsani
authors.affiliation: Department of Science, Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman , Kerman, Iran.
authors.forename: Esmaiel
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Amraie
authors.affiliation: Medical University of Vienna , Vienna, Austria.
authors.forename: Peyman
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Kavian
authors.affiliation: Isfahan Cardiovascular Research Center, Cardiovascular Research Institute , Isfahan University of Medical Sciences , Isfahan, Iran.
authors.forename: Mahtab
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Keshvari
keywords: Wistar rats; alfalfa; alloxan; antidiabetic property; aqueous extract alfalfa; blood sugar; diabetes; lipid profile; plant extracts