Zygophyllum album aqueous extract reduces glycemia and ameliorates lipid profile and oxidative damage in hypercholesterolemic-diabetic rats

Abstract

Purpose This paper aims to study the effects of Zygophyllum album (Za) (Z. album) in hypercholesterolemic-diabetic rats. Design/methodology/approach Male Wistar rats (n = 36) weighing 200 ± 10 g, consumed an experimental diet containing 20 per cent casein were divided into three groups (n = 12). The first group consumed the diet enriched with 1 per cent cholesterol (CH), the second group is rendered diabetic by intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (STZ) (35 mg/kg body weight) (D) (DM). The third group is hypercholesterolemic and STZ-induced diabetic (CH-DM); each group was subdivided into two groups (n = 6), non-treated groups (CH, DM and CH-DM) and treated groups supplemented with 1 per cent Z. album lyophilized aqueous extract (CH-Z, DM-Z and CH-DM-Z). Findings In CH-DM group, Z. album decreases glycemia (−15 per cent) and inversely increases insulinemia (+28 per cent) and Homeostasis Model Assessment of Insulin Resistance (+19 per cent). In liver, total cholesterol (TC) and triacyglycerols (TAG) levels were reduced by −57 per cent and −29 per cent, respectively. In plasma, TC concentration was increased by +20 per cent, whereas those of TAG level were lowered by −56 per cent. Lecithin cholesterol acyl transferase and paraoxonase 1 activities were raised by +45 and +59 per cent, respectively. Inversely, thiobarbituric acid reactive substance levels were lowered significantly in liver, heart, kidney and adipose tissue (p < 0.05). Superoxide dismutase activity was enhanced in liver (+54 per cent), heart (+36 per cent), kidney (+45 per cent) and adipose tissue (59 per cent). Liver glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity was enhanced by +38 per cent and heart activities of GSH-Px, and glutathione reductase (GSSH-Red) were increased by +25 and +18 per cent. In kidney, GSH-Px activity was reduced by −26 per cent; in reverse, GSSH-Red activity was increased by +14 per cent. In adipose tissue, GSH-Px and GSSH-Red activities were augmented by +35 and +15 per cent. Originality/value These results suggest that Z. album aqueous extract has antihyperglycemic and antihyperlipemic actions. Also, Z. album protects against tissue oxidative damage; therefore, it can help to prevent cardiovascular complications of diabetes combined with hypercholesterolemia.