Protective effect of Fragaria ananassa against streptozotocin- induced diabetes in rats

The present study aimed to clarify the effect of strawberry (Fragaria ananassa) leaves extract on some physiological parameters of streptozotocin-induced diabetes in rats. Diabetic rats were orally treated daily with three doses (50, 100 and 200 mg/kg) of strawberry leaves extract for 30 days. Diabetic rats exhibited significant increases in plasma glucose, triglycerides, total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, malondialdehyde levels in addition to the activities of catalase, alanine aminotransaminase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransaminase (AST) as compared to the control. On the other side, significant decreases in insulin, total protein, albumin, globulin, A/G ratio, HDL- cholesterol and superoxide dismutase levels were recorded. Treatment of diabetic rats with strawberry leaves extract significantly decreased plasma glucose, ALT, AST, triglycerides, total cholesterol, LDL- cholesterol, malondialdehyde and significantly increased insulin, total protein, albumin, globulin, A/G ratio, HDL- cholesterol and superoxide dismutase levels as compared to the diabetic rats. Therefore, the present data declared the efficiency of strawberry leaves extract for relieving the metabolic hazard of diabetics. Furthermore, the treatment with 200 mg/kg b.w. was more effective than treatment with 50 mg or 100mg/ kg b.w. the extract.