Abstract
In the present study, DPPH radical scavenging assay and ferric-reducing antioxidant assay were used to evaluate in vitro antioxidant potential of the methanol extract of Ferula duranii (F. duranii). The antihyperglycemic and antihyperlipidemic activities of F. duranii extract were evaluated in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. F. duranii showed considerable antioxidant potential in the DPPH radical scavenging assay and minimum reducing power in ferric-reducing antioxidant power assay. A meaningful reduction in the concentrations of Fasting Blood Glucose (FBG), glycosylated hemoglobin (Hb Alc), triglycerides (TG), Total Cholesterol (TC) and Low Density Lipoprotein (LDL-C) in plasma and an elevation in the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), catalase (CAT) in hepatic and pancreas homogenates were observed in diabetic animals medicated with F. duranii extract in comparison with diabetic control rats. The level of insulin raised significantly in plasma of diabetic groups received F. duranii in respect to diabetic control one. Levels of alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), bilirubin, total protein and High Density Lipoprotein (HDL-C) in plasma and malondialdehyde (MDA) in liver and pancreas homogenates were recovered significantly in F. duranii-medicated diabetic rats in comparison with diabetic controls. The present data suggest that F. duranii has both antidiabetic and antihyperlipidemic effects.