Stevia and especially Nano-Stevia induced anti-diabetic, antidepressant, and analgesic effects in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

Abstract

Abstract Background Type 2 diabetes mellitus is a metabolic illness with numerous psychological complications such as depression, and pain sense. Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni (stevia) is well-recognized due to its sweet taste and beneficial activities in blood glucose modulation. This study aimed to examine the effects of Stevia and Nano-stevia on the modulation of depression and pain behaviors in male diabetic rats. Methods Type 2 diabetes mellitus was produced via a single intraperitoneal administration of streptozotocin (50 mg/kg). Depression and pain behaviors were assessed using the forced swim test (FST) and formalin test, respectively. Results The results showed that induction of diabetes leads to enhancement of blood glucose, immobility time in the FST, as well as the duration of flexing and licking behaviors both in the early and late phases of the formalin in male diabetic rats. Hence, induction of diabetes in male rats caused hyperglycemia, depressant-like effect, and hyperalgesic response which were reversed by drug treatment. Moreover, intra-gastrically administration of Stevia (1 ml/kg) and Nano-stevia (1 ml/kg) reversed the hyperglycemia, depressant-like effect, and hyperalgesic response in male diabetic rats. Interestingly, Nano-stevia showed the highest significant effect rather than Stevia. Conclusions The results of this study proposed the beneficial effects of Stevia and especially Nano-stevia on inducing anti-diabetic effects, antidepressant-like response, as well as the analgesic effects in male diabetic rats.