The Effect of P-Cymene on Glucose, Insulin, Antioxidant Power, and the Level of AKT Gene mRNA in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetes Model in Male Wistar Rats

Background and Aim: Diabetes is a main metabolic disorder in middle-aged and older people.Oxidative stress can interfere with insulin signaling and are directly relevant to the incidence of diabetes.The AKT signaling pathways plays a critical role in regulating glucose homeostasis and proliferation of cells.P-cymene is an aromatic monotropene with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.In the present study, the therapeutic effects of p-cymene on blood glucose and insulin levels, the antioxidant power of serum (FRAP assay) and the expression of AKT mRNAs in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats were investigated.Materials and Methods: Diabetes was induced using the injection of 55 mg/kg streptozotocin in male Wistar rats.Histological, biochemical, and real-time PCR analyses were done to study the effects of metformin (55 mg/kg) and p-cymene (25, 50, and 100 mg/kg) on levels of glucose, insulin, oxidative stress status, and the expression of AKT mRNA.Results: Streptozotocin increased serum levels of glucose and decreased serum levels of insulin, the antioxidant power of serum, pancreas levels of AKT mRNA, and island size.Administration of metformin or p-cymene improved the levels of glucose, insulin, AKT mRNA, island size, and antioxidant power in an independent manner of dose.Conclusion: These results suggest that p-cymene has hypoglycemic, hyperinsulinemia, and antioxidant properties.It can regulate Akt signaling pathway.Therefore, it may be suggested for the diabetes therapy alone or in combination with metformin.