Antihyperglycemic effect of thymoquinone and oleuropein, on streptozotocin-induced diabetes mellitus in experimental animals

BACKGROUND: Diabetes mellitus is one of the most important diseases related with endocrines. Its main manifestation includes abnormal metabolism of carbohydrates and lipids and inappropriate hyperglycemia that is caused by absolute or relative insulin deficiency. It affects humankind worldwide. OBJECTIVES: Our research was aimed to observe antihyperglycemic activity of thymoquinone and oleuropein. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this study, rats were divided into six groups, 6 rats in each. Diabetes was inducted by streptozotocin (STZ). The level of fasting blood glucose was determined for each rats during the experiment, doses of thymoquinone and oleuropein (3 mg/kg and 5 mg/kg) for both, were injected intraperitoneal. Pancreatic tissues were investigated to compare β-cells in diabetic and treated rats. RESULT AND CONCLUSION: It was found that thymoquinone and oleuropein significantly decrease serum Glucose levels in STZ induced diabetic rats.