Ameliorative Effect of Eruca Sativa Extracts on Glucose and Urinary Volume in Streptozotocin-induced Diabetic Rats

Diabetic nephropathy is one of the major complications of diabetes. In recent years, several plant extracts and herbal formulations are used as antidiabetic formulations. It has been suggested that Eruca sativa exert a beneficial antidiabetic effect in rats by reducing oxidative stress. The present research work was designed to evaluate the effect of methanolic and aqueous extracts of Eruca sativa on blood glucose and urinary volume in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. Diabetes was induced in rats after intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (STZ; 55 mg/kg). Thirty six adult male rats were randomly distributed into 6 equal groups, each of 6 animals. The 1 st and 2 nd groups were served as control and diabetic control respectively and other four groups of diabetic rats were treated with aqueous and methanolic extracts of Eruca sativa in doses of 250 and 500 mg/kg, for 15 consecutive days. Blood glucose (mg/dl), urine volume (ml), urinary electrolytes (sodium, potassium and chloride) and diuretic index were evaluated in control, diabetic and drug treated diabetic rats. Blood glucose, and urine volume were significantly increased while urinary electrolytes excretion (Na, K and Cl) significantly decreased in diabetic control rats. Orally administered Eruca sativa extracts significantly restore the altered parameters in diabetic animals. The obtained results demonstrate the antihyperglycemic and diuretic activity of Eruca sativa extracts, in the treatment of STZ-induced diabetic rats. Thus, a better characterization of the medicinal potential of this plant will be able to provide a better understanding of its mechanisms of action in these pathological processes.