Amelioration of alloxan induced diabetes mellitus and oxidative stress in rats by oil of Eruca sativa seeds

Clinical research has confirmed the efficacy of several plant extracts in t he modulation of oxidative stress associated with diabetes mellitus (DM), O il of Eruca sativa seeds (ESS) is tried for prevention and treatment of DM induced experimentally by alloxan injection. A single dose of alloxan (100 mg/kg) produced a decrease in insulin level, hyperglycemia, elevated total lipids, triglycerides and cholesterol, decreased high-density lipoprotein a nd hepatic glycogen contents and elevated hepatic glucose-6-phosphatase act ivity. Concurrent with these changes, there was an increase in the concentr ation of malondialdehyde and 4-hydroxynonenal in the liver. This oxidative stress was related to a decreased glutathione (GSH) content and superoxide dismutase activity in the liver of alloxan-diabetic rats. ESS oil (0.06 ml/ kg) on its own increased significantly hepatic GSH, Daily oral administrati on of ESS oil 2 weeks before or after diabetes induction ameliorated hyperg lycemia, improved lipid profile, blunted the increase in malondialdehyde an d 4-hydroxynonenal and stimulated the GSH production in the liver of alloxa n-treated rats. We suggested that ESS oil could be used as antidiabetic com plement in case of DM. This may be related to its antioxidative properties and to the increase in hepatic GSH, Copyright (C) 2000 S. Karger AG, Basel.