The Simultaneous Effect of Aerobic Exercise and Matricaria chamomilla L. Flower Extract on the Serum Level of Peptide C in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rats

Background and Objectives: Serum level of C peptide is considered as one of the indicators of diabetes treatment process. In this study, simultaneous effect of aerobic exercise and Matricaria chamomilla L. flower (MFE) extract, was investigated on the serum level of C peptide in male diabetic rats.   Methods: In this experimental study, 24 male Wistar rats (weight range, 200±20g), were randomly divided into 4 groups (n=6): control group (diabetic without treatment and training), MFE (diabetic treated with the extract), aerobic training (diabetic and training), and MFE+aerobic training (diabetic treated with extract+aerobic training). The aerobic training was performed as running on treadmill for 12 weeks (5 days per week, 60min/day, 26meter/min). The rats were diabetized with a single dose of streptozotocin (65mg/kg bw, ip). The MFE groups that daily received 200mg/kg orally (gavaged) along with exercise, were tested for 12 weeks. Data were analyzed using Shapiro-Wilk test, one way ANOVA, and Tukey post hoc test at the significant level of p<0.05.   Results: In this study, the serum level of C peptide significantly increased in MFE group, exercise group, and the chamomile extract along with exercise group compared to the control group (p<0.01).   Conclusion: The findings of this research indicated that aerobic exercise and use of MFE caused an increase in the serum level of C peptide in diabetic rats.