Evaluation of hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic activities of aqueous extract of Cistus ladaniferus in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

Objective:To evaluate the effect of aqueous leaf extract of Cistus ladaniferus(C.ladaniferus) on glycemic and lipidemic status in diabetic rats.Methods:Overnight fasted rats were injected intraperitoneally with streptozotocin(45 mg/kg) to induce experimental diabetes.The aqueous extract of the leaves of C.ladaniferus was administered orally at the dose of 500 mg/kg body weight to diabetic rats for a period of 28 days.Hypoglycemic effect,body weight,oral glucose tolerance,change in lipid parameters,urea,creatinine,aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase levels of diabetic rats treated with aqueous extract were evaluated in experimental animals.Results:Administration of 500 mg/kg of C.ladaniferus extract to diabetic rats for 28 days resulted in a significant reduction in the levels of blood glucose,alanine aminotransferase,aspartate aminotransferase,urea and creatinine.Furthermore,the extract of C.ladaniferus improved glucose tolerance in diabetic rats,and its antidiabetic effect was similar to the one obtained with glibenclamide.The hypolipidemic effect was demonstrated by an important decrease in plasma total cholesterol,triglycerides and low density lipoprotein-cholesterol levels.Conclusions:It is concluded that C.ladaniferus leaf extract showed an antidiabetic activity in experimental diabetes which was similar to the one obtained with glibenclamide.

Potential effect of Silybum marianum L. and Cistus ladaniferus L.extracts on urine volume, creatinine clearance and renal function

Objective:To investigate the diuretic and renal effects of Silybum marianum L.and Cistus ladaniferus L.in normal rats.Methods:Four groups of rats were used in each experiment.The first group received water,the second group received Cistus ladaniferus L.extract(100 mg/kg b.wt),the third group received Silybum marianum L.extract(100 mg/kg b.wt),and the fourth group received furosemide(10 mg/kg b.wt).Variables including urine volume,plasma and urine sodium,potassium and creatinine,and creatinine clearance were measured.Two experiments were conducted.A single dose of each intervention was used and the variables were measured during 24 h,and the interventions were given daily for a total of 8 d and the variables were measured during various intervals.Results:The single dose of each plant extract increased urine volume at all-time intervals and increased urine sodium and potassium excretion without affecting plasma sodium and potassium(P<0.05).On the day 8 after daily administration,the plant extracts induced a significant diuresis and natriuresis without affecting serum electrolytes(P<0.05),while furosemide caused hypokalemia.Both plant extracts significantly increased creatinine clearance(P<0.05).Conclusions:Silybum marianum L.and Cistus ladaniferus L Increase creatinine clearance and have a significant diuretic effect without affecting serum electrolytes.Silybum marianum L.is more potent than furosemide or Cistus ladaniferus L.