Ameliorative effect of glabridin, a main component of Glycyrrhiza glabra L. roots in streptozotocin induced Type 1 diabetes in male albino rats

Abstract

Glabridin (component of Licorice), a major flavonoid of Glycyrrhiza glabra L. (Fabaceae), is commonly used in the treatment of cardiovascular and central nervous system diseases. Also, it has been associated with a wide range of biological properties such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, estrogenic and anti-osteoporotic. Here, we investigated the antidiabetic effects of oral treatment with glabridin on streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. Type 1 diabetes was induced in male albino rats by a single intraperitoneal injection of STZ (60 mg/kg body weight). Diabetes appeared after 1-3 days after STZ injection. The animals were randomly divided into6 groups (7 animals each) as follows; Group 1: Normal control group (negative control group); Group 2 & 3: glabridin-treated control groups (25&50 mg/kg body weight); Group 4:STZ diabetic group (positive control group); Group 5 & 6:glabridin treated diabetic groups(25&50 mg/kg body weight). In normal rats, no harmful effects were detected after orally administration of both doses of glabridin on all parameters measured.The antidiabetic activity of glabridin (especially high dose) was mediated through significantly increased the body weight gain, enzymic/non-enzymic antioxidants and HDL-cholesterol, and significantly decreased relative organ weights, serum glucose, lipid profiles, lipid peroxidation (LPO), pro-inflammatory cytokine, liver and kidney functions. The present study indicated that the anti-inflammatory/anti-oxidant activity of glabridin (especially high dose) may have beneficial effects against complications shown in STZ diabetic rats.