Studies on the Constituents of Rosmarinus officinalis and Their Synergistic Effect in Experimental Diabetic Rats

Abstract

Mohamed S. El-Boshy, Eslam A. Header, Naser A. ElSawy, Mohamed B. Basalamah, Mohammad S. Mubarak, Taibi Ben Hadda

Aim and Background: Antioxidant effects of aqueous extracts of Rosmarinus officinalis (RO) leaves on kidneys of streptozotocin (STZ)-induced experimental diabetic rats were assessed. Methods: The experiment was carried out on 4 groups with 6 rats in each group and extracts were administered orally at a dose of 200 mg/ Kg, body weight for 45 consecutive days. Blood samples drawn from all rats and analysed for glucose, reduced glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and malondialdehyde (MDA) as well as kidney function test. Results: The present study, revealed a significant decrease in blood glucose level in the animals given herb extract as compared with diabetic rats. In addition, results also revealed that antioxidant markers, GSH and CAT were significantly reduced in diabetic rats, while MDA, uric acid, urea and creatinine have increased as compared with control rats. On the other hand, both the diabetic group and the treated with extract showed significant improvement in the antioxidant markers and renal function towards the control group. Petra/ Osiris/ Molinspiration (POM) analyses of principal bioactive constituents of rosemary showed that these compounds have no side effect. Conclusions: Thus, Rosemary extract could be a promising therapeutic agent for the treatment of diabetic-related diseases.