Antioxidative and β cell regeneration effect of Capparis aphylla stem extract in streptozotocin induced diabetic rat

Abstract The aim of the present study was to evaluate the possible effects of C. aphylla on pancreatic cells and antioxidant enzymes in experimental streptozotocin induced diabetes in rats. The single oral administration of methanol extract (300mg/kg b.wt) and active fraction (30mg/kg b.wt) from stem part of C. aphylla significantly (p<0.01) reduced blood glucose levels after 3h in diabetic rats. The treatment also resulted in a remarkable reduction in glutathione level, superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase activity in the liver, heart and kidney of diabetic rats. The extract exerted rapid protective effects against lipid peroxidation by scavenging of free radicals thereby reducing the risk of diabetic complications. The results clearly suggested that C. aphylla stem extract treatment might effectively normalize the impaired pancreatic cells and antioxidant status in streptozotocin induced diabetes. Therefore, findings supported the traditional use of C. aphylla in the treatment of diabetes