Abstract
Boswellia carterii extract has many beneficial pharmacological activities and various medicinal utilization. The scientific data about its effects on thyroid functions of type 2 diabetes is limited. This research was conducted to assess the hypoglycemic and antioxidant properties of Boswellia carterii. Its protective effects against type 2 diabetes induced dysfunction and structural changes of thyroid gland were also investigated. Wistar male rats (N=25) were indiscriminately allocated into four groups (N=5): G1 (Control), G2 (diabetic control), G3 (diabetic+ Boswellia Carterii extract), G4 (diabetic+ Metformin) and G5 (Boswellia carterii extract). B. carterii was given to G3 and G5 in a dose of 100mg/kg/BW and G4 received a dose of150mg/kg of metformin. The treatment was continuing for 6 weeks. Oxidative stress was assessed by measuring superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), catalase (CAT), and lipid peroxidation (LPO) plus the blood glucose level (BGL) in all groups. The protective properties of the B. carterii extract was evaluated by estimation Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), triiodothyronine (T3) and tetraiodothyronine (T4) hormones and histological studies of thyroid gland. The results showed in B. carterii treated diabetic rats: BGL and LPO were significantly decreased, while SOD and CAT were significantly increased in comparison to the non-treated diabetic rats. Moreover, it was found that the extract has protective effects against diabetic induced (functional and structural) alterations of thyroid gland. In conclusions, this study showed that B. carterii extract has potential impact as hypoglycemic and antioxidant natural agents, inhibiting thyroid functional disturbance and conserving the thyroid histological architectures in the animal model of experimental type 2 diabetes.