Therapeutic Potential of Quercus İthaburensis Subsp. Macrolepis Fruit Extract in Stz-nicotinamide-induced Type 2 Diabetic Rats

In this study; the effect of Quercus ithaburensis subsp. macrolepis fruit extract (QIFE) on blood glucose and oxidant-antioxidant systems in streptozotocin (STZ)-nicotinamide-induced type 2 diabetic rats was investigated. Type 2 diabetes was induced in rats by intraperitoneal injection of STZ (65mg/kg)-Nicotinamide (45 mg/kg). Rats were given 535mg/kg QIFE fruit extract in their drinking water for 21 days. Rats were divided into four groups; Control (C), Control+QIFE (C+QIFE), Diabetes (D), and Diabetes+QIFE (D+QIFE). Plasma and tissue malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were measured by spectrophotometry. Whole blood glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), serum superoxide dismutase (SOD) enzyme levels, serum paraoxonase (PON), and arylesterase (ARE) enzyme activities were determined using commercial kits. Serum insulin levels and blood glucose were evaluated using a Rat ELISA Kit and glucometer, respectively. Also, the autoanalyzer was used to assess the lipid profile. While blood sugar and serum total cholesterol (TC) levels showed a statistically significant decrease in the C+ QIFE and D+ QIFE groups (C and D groups, respectively), serum insulin levels showed a statistically significant increase in the D+QIFE group compared to the D group. In the D+QIFE group, a statistically significant increase was observed in PON and ARE enzyme activities compared to the D group, but in the C+QFE group, a significant increase was found in whole blood GSH-Px and serum SOD levels compared to the C group. A statistically significant decrease was detected in plasma, heart, muscle, and liver tissue MDA levels in the D+QIFE group compared to the C group. As a result, it was concluded that Q. ithaburensis fruit extract has anti-hyperglycemic, anti-hyperlipidemic effects, strengthens the antioxidant system, and is a good phytotherapeutic agent that prevents/improves metabolic processes and related complications related to diabetes mellitus.