the effect of essential oil of the cultivated satureja khuzestanica jamzad on activity and gene expression of hepatic glucokinase in normal and diabetic rats

background and objectives this study was undertaken to evaluate the effect of the cultivated satureja khuzestanica essential oil (skeo) on activity and gene expression of hepatic gk in normal and diabetic rats.   methods biochemical parameters such as glucose, insulin, and hba1c plasma levels and oral glucose tolerance test were all analyzed. the cultivated skeo was orally administered at different doses (100 mg/kg per day) to normal as well as diabetic rats for 21 days. the level of mrna hepatic gk was determined using the quantitative real- time rt-pcr technique.   results the plasma glucose concentrations of diabetic rats receiving wild skeo compared with diabetic control were significantly decreased. the levels of plasma insulin in diabetic rats treated with wild skeo were slightly increased compared with diabetic controls. in the present study, we observed decreased hepatic gk activity and its mrna levels in diabetic control rats compared with normal controls and their moderately higher levels after being treated with wild skeo. we thought, the slightly increased levels of insulin indicates that the wild skeo causes a little stimulation in insulin secretion from remnant b- cells through its antioxidant properties.   conclusion moderate elevation in activity and gene expression of hepatic gk in diabetic rats treated with the wild skeo is one of the factors involved in anti-hyperglycemic effect that may contribute to the plasma glucose lowering action of skeo which seems to be in relation with antioxidant properties of skeo.