The therapeutic potential of “Crataegus azarolus” on zinc, lipid profile, and antioxidant status in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats with zinc-deficient diet

AbstractZinc plays an important role in the biosynthesis and storage of insulin. Consequently, its deficiency may have a deleterious impact on the progression of diabetes and its associated consequences. Thus, this study was conducted to investigate the effect of hawthornCrataegus azarolus on blood biochemical parameters, tissue zinc status, and oxidative stress biomarkers in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats fed a zinc-insufficient diet. Thirty-two male albino Wistar rats were divided into four groups: two groups were fed a zinc-sufficient diet (one non-diabetic and the other diabetic), while the other two groups of diabetic rats were fed a zinc-insufficient diet. One group was not treated, and the other was treated with an extract ofCrataegus azarolus (150  mg/kg body weight). Body weight and food intake were regularly recorded. After 4 weeks of dietary manipulation, the fasting animals were sacrificed. Zinc-deficient feed decreased body weight, insulin, and tissue zinc levels (in the femur, liver, kidney, and pancreas), as well as glutathione conce ntrations, lactic dehydrogenase, catalase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, and glutathione reductase activities. It was also noted that inadequate dietary zinc intake increased concentrations of glucose, cholesterol, triglycerides, urea, uric acid, creatinine, lipid peroxidation levels , and transaminase activities. However, oral administration of hawthorn extract was observed to improve all of the previously ...
Source: Comparative Clinical Pathology - Category: Pathology Source Type: research