Effect of Caraway, Coriander and Fennel on the structure of Kidney and Islets of Langerhan in Alloxan-Induced Diabetic Rats: Histological and Histochemical Study

Caraway, coriander and fennel are known hypoglycemic agents, which are used in folklori medicine for improving blood glucose level and preventing long term complications in diabetes mellitus. So, this study was designed to clarify their role on the histological and histochemical changes in kidney and islets of Langerhan in diabetic rats. 80 rats were divided into 5 groups. The first group was control. For the second group diabetes mellitus was induced in 40 rats, using alloxan. 30 rats of diabetic rats were divided into 3 subgroups: subgroup 1: was given caraway for 2 weeks. Subgroup 2: was given coriander for 2 weeks. Subgroup 3: was dosed orally by fennel for 2 weeks. Each of the remaining 3 groups was given Caraway, coriander and fennel respectively only for 2 weeks. Histopathological effects in kidney were massive inflammatory infiltrate in interstitial tissue, vacuolar degeneration in tubular epithelial cells, karyolysis and karyorrhexis and some glomerular degeneration. The islets of Langerhan showed severe necrotic changes of pancreatic islets, especially in the center. Karyolysis, dilatation, congestion of large vessels and marked increase in connective tissue component at the expense of functioning tissue leading to relative reduction in the size of islets were also seen. DNA analysis showed hypoploidy in kidney and pancreas of rats treated with alloxan only. Alloxan caused decrease of protein and mucopolysaccharide content. Conclusion: the treatment of diabetic rats with caraway, coriander and fennel resulted in amelioration of histopathological and histochemical changes in kidney and islets of Langerhans. [Journal of American Science 2010;6(9):405-418]. (ISSN: 1545-1003).