[Effects of hydroalcoholic extract of carthamus tinctorius on activity of hepatic transaminases in alloxan-induced diabetic rats]

ABSTRACT

Safflower [Carthamus tinctorius L.] flowers, mostly used for coloring and flavoring food, are attributed with anti-rheumatic and anti-diabetic effects in traditional medicine. The purpose of this research was to experimentally assess the effect of hydroalcoholic extract of Carthamus tinctorius on the level of AST and ALT in alloxan-induced diabetic rats. In the present study, 18 male Wistar rats, of body wt. 180-220 g were randomly allocated into three groups with six rats per group first group, non-diabetic rats; second group, diabetic rats; third group, diabetic rats treated with hydroalcoholic extract of Carthamus tinctorius [200 mgkg [-1] BW, i.p.]. Rats were fasted for 16h and then fasting blood samples were collected in heparinated tubes. Sampling was performed from the orbital sinus. ANOVA was used for data analysis. Our results indicated a significant difference in AST and ALT levels in the diabetic group compared with the other groups [P<0.05]. Histomorphological studies of the liver of these animals, demonstrated the same results. Hydroalcoholic extract of Carthamus tinctorius can inhibit liver failure-induced by diabetes and is suggested as an antidiabetic drug. Further biochemical and pharmacological investigations should be performed to elucidate its mechanism of action in detail