Determination of blood glucose lowering and metabolic effects of Mespilus germanica L. extract on normal and streptozocin-induced diabetic Balb/c mices

Background and objectives: The serum glucose lowering, normalization animal body weight and antioxidative stress effects of Mespilus germanica L. leaf extract were investigated in normal and streptozotocin-induced Balb/C mices. Methods: The leaves of M. germanica were extracted using acetone/water (70:30) by percolation method and concentrated using rotary-evaporator device and its total phenolics and flavonoids content were determined using Folin-Ciocalteu and aluminum chloride methods, respectively. The study was conducted on forty eight matured male Balb/C mices (20-30 g) divided into 6 groups (n=8). Diabetes mellitus was induced by single intraperitoneal injection of 35 mg/kg of streptozotocin (STZ). Extracts of Mespilus germanica were used orally at the dose of 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg body weight per day for 21 days. Results: Oral administrations of the Mespilus germanica L. leaf extract significantly decreased serum glucose, oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation and maintained animal body weight during treatment period (p<0.05) compared to metformin (200 mg/kg) in over 100 mg/kg, 200 mg/kg and 50 mg/kg dosages, respectively. Conclusions: It was concluded that the plant and its phytochemicals could be considered as new appropriate therapeutic options for diabetes mellitus.