Effects of a Hydroalcoholic Extract of Walnut Male Flowers on Diabetic Rats

Background : Diabetes is a metabolic disorder resulting from defects in insulin secretion and function. Walnut is used in traditional medicine to treat diabetes. In this study we evaluated the anti-diabetic effects of the hydroalcoholic extract of walnut male flowers in streptozocin diabetic rats and its probable side effects on the liver.
Materials and Methods : Eighty adult male Wistar rats were randomly selected and divided into 4 subgroups including a control (N=8) with no intervention, witness group receiving normal saline and another 3 groups of rats each receiving either 2, 4, or 6 g/kg of the extract per day for 15 days. Diabetic groups of rats each treated with the above doses of the extract for the aforementioned period of time, and a group of 8 diabetic rats without any further treatment. Eight rats were also used to determine the LD50 of streptozotocin. Diabetes was induced in rats by injection of 60 mg/kg of streptozotocin. At the end of the experimental period, blood was taken from the experimental and control groups and the serum levels of insulin, glucose and liver enzymes (ALT, AST, ALP) were measured.
Results : Results showed that the hydro-alcoholic extract of walnut male flowers increased the levels of insulin, decreased blood glucose, AST and ALP enzymes in the treated diabetic groups compared to the non-treated group (p<0.05). The anti-diabetic effects of the extract were not dose dependent.
Conclusion : The effectiveness of the hydro-alcoholic extract of walnut male flowers in diabetic rats through prevention of liver damage and reduction of blood glucose.