In Vitro And In Vivo Evaluation Of The Antidiabetic Effect Of Different Extracts Of Nepeta Cataria In Streptozotocin Induced Diabetic Rats

Both in vitro and in vivo studies were performed in the present research to investigate the pharmacological effects of successive Nepeta cataria extracts on some biochemical parameters in Streptozotocin diabetic rats compared to the currently used drug, Glicalized. These involved some biochemical parameters such as glucose, insulin, carbohydrate hydrolyzing enzymes; α –amylase, αglucosidase, βgalactosidase, liver steoteosis; total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, LDL–cholesterol, triglycerides, total lipid, liver function enzymes; alanin aminotransferase(ALT), aspatrate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphates (ALP) and total protein, oxidative stress markers; NO and DPPH. In addition histopathological investigations were performed. The results obtained revealed that in vitro analysis, different successive extracts of Nepeta cataria exhibited inhibitory effect on oxidative stress indices ( NO and DPPH) and carbohydrate hydrolyzing enzymes (α-amylase, α-glucosidase and βgalactosidase) in linear relationships to some extent with concentration of inhibitors (dose dependant). Total ethanol (70%), petroleum ether and chloroform extracts showed respectively the most potent reducing power, while ethyl acetate and ethanol soxhlet appeared moderate or low reducing activity. In addition the in vivo anti-glycemic, antioxidant, antilipidemic effects of chloroform, petroleum ether as well as crude ethanol extracts in comparison with gliclazide as reference antidiabetic drug showed, these extracts have significant beneficial glycemic control, scavenging free radicals, normalized liver function, inhibited lipid synthesis associated with diabetic complication, as well as they have principle role in treatment and normalized liver and pancreas architecture. Hence, it could be concluded that Nepeta cataria extracts may be applied clinically for reducing complications against diabetes mellitus together with the ideal antidiabetic drug glicalized. [Journal of American Science. 2010;6(10):364-386]. (ISSN: 1545-1003).