Effects of safflower oil on FBS and lipid profile in alloxan induced diabetic rats and its mechanism

Background & Aim: Diabetes mellitus often has been referred to as a syndrome of disordered metabolism, usually due to a combination of hereditary and environmental causes, resulting in abnormal of high blood sugar levels (hyperglycemia). Nowadays, no-drug treatments (medicinal plants) are novel therapeutic approaches in the treatment of diabetes. Experimental: This study aimed at assessing the effect of Carthamustinctorius L oil on the blood glucose and lipid profile in diabetic rats. Eighteen male rats were divided into 3 groups as follows: control, diabetes treated with glibenclamide and diabetes treated with 200 mg/kg b.wt safflower oil. Diabetes was induced in rats by intraperitoneal administration of single dose of alloxan monohydrate (120 mg/kg body weight). The oil of (Carthamustinctorius L.) at a dose of 200 mg/kg b.wt was administered every other day to the diabetic rats for a period of 30 days. Results: The results show that the safflower oil exhibited significant hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic effect in hyperglycemic rats. In fact, phenolic compounds and free fatty acids in safflower oil play an important role in regulating animal insulin secretion response and glucose homeostasis.