ABSTRACT
Background: Metabolic diseases such as diabetes mellitus [DM] were progressively widespread all over the world and the alteration of oxidative stress and antioxidants associated with DM was established
Aim of the Work: The natural products were used in many ancient cultures to overcome the DM, so pomegranate peel and olive leaves will be investigated in this work
Materials and Methods: Adult male albino rats [Sprague Dawley], weighing 220-250 g, were used in this study. Animals were classified into five groups, five rats in each group. Control group: rats were served as normal healthy control and were received no treatment but only normal chow diet and water ad libitum for 4 weeks. Diabetic group: rats were intraperitoneal injected with STZ at dose of 40 mg / kg b. wt. for a single dose. Diabetic and olive leaves extract group: diabetic rats were orally administered with watery extract of olive leaves at dose of 250 mg / kg b. wt. for 4 weeks. Diabetic and pomegranate peel extract group: diabetic rats were orally administered with pomegranate peel at 250 mg / kg b. wt. for 4 weeks. Diabetic and mix of olive leaves and pomegranate peel group: diabetic rats were orally administered with pomegranate peel and olive leaves at 250 mg / kg b. wt. for 4 weeks
Results: The oxidative stress markers such as lipid peroxidation and hydrogen peroxide were increased but there was a decrease in the antioxidants makers such as glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, reduced glutathione and total antioxidants capacity in the liver of diabetic rats. The expression of insulin receptor and glucose transporter 2 genes was inhibited in liver of diabetic rats. Watery extracts of olive leaves and pomegranate improved the biochemical and molecular changes associated with DM
Conclusion: The results showed a hypoglycaemic, hypocholesterolemic and hypolipidemic action of olive leaves and pomegranate peel