Investigating the protective effect of Satureja khuzestanica Jamzad essential oil and carvacrol on lipid peroxidation, antioxidant enzymes, glutathione, and total antioxidant capacity in the plasma of diabetic rats

Background: Type 2 diabetes is one of the main causes of death and its treatment is one of the clinical priorities. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of Satureja khuzistanica essential oil (SKEO) and carvacrol on lipid peroxidation index (MDA), plasma total antioxidant capacity (TAC), and also the activity of antioxidant enzymes. Materials and Methods: The study was experimental in nature. Diabetes was induced in male Wistar rats by intraperitoneal injection of 70 mg/kg alloxan. The rats were randomly divided into 5 groups of 10. After the treatment period (20 days), the indices of lipid peroxidation and the activity of antioxidant enzymes were measured in the hemolysates of all groups. SKEO was analyzed by the GC-Mass method. Data analysis was performed in SPSS 23 software using one-way ANOVA and Tukey tests. Results: The results of our study showed that the average values ​​of glutathione and TAC of the diabetic groups under treatment in both doses increased compared to the diabetic control group, while the MDA level decreased compared to the diabetic control group (P<0.05). The activity of antioxidant enzymes in the treated groups showed a significant increase compared to the group of diabetic rats (P<0.05). SKEO analysis by GC-Mass method showed that carvacrol (percentage) constituted the main compound of this extract. Conclusion: According to the results, the main compound of SKEO is carvacrol and it has antioxidant properties. The groups treated with SKEO and carvacrol both showed a significant decrease in the amount of MDA and an increase in its antioxidant defense indices.