Teucrium polium Extract Effects Pancreatic Function of Streptozotocin Diabetic Rats: A Histopathological Examination

In an effort to evaluate the hypoglycemic activity of T. polium, the crude extract was administered orally to a group of Streptozotocin induced diabetic rats for 6 consecutive weeks. Significant decrease in blood glucose by 64%, total bilirubin by 35%, glutamate oxaloacetate transferase by 48% and glutamate pyruvate transferase by 30% was observed compared to untreated diabetic rats. However, the blood insulin level was enhanced by almost 160%. The insulinotropic property of the T. polium crude extract was further assessed by an in vitro investigation using isolated rat islets. Our data indicated that T. polium crude extract is capable of enhancing insulin secretion by almost 135% after one dose of treatment at high glucose concentration. Meanwhile, without affecting the time pattern of insulin secretion by the islets, the plant extract seems to be capable of regenerating the islets of langerhans in the treated compared to the untreated diabetic rats. These data clearly provide a mechanistic view concerning the hypoglycemic effect of T. polium extract through its significant effect on the pancreas.