Accessing the Hypoglycemic Effects of Seed Extract from Celery (Apium graveolens) in Alloxan-Induced Diabetic Rats

Aims: The present study is aimed to evaluate the potential mechanism of antidiabetic action of seed extract celery (Apium graveolens) and its effects on some hematological and biochemical parameters in alloxan-induced diabetic rats.

Study Design: Laboratory-experimental design was used in this study.

Methodology: This study was conducted on fifty experimental animals. Adult albino rats (Sprague-Dawely strain) weighing about 220 g each were used throughout the study. Fifty rats were randomly assigned to five experimental groups of 10 rats each: Group 1 - received normal saline (0.5 ml/kg), and serves as control. Group II - gavaged daily for thirty days with 1ml of the extract at doses of 425 mg/kg body wt and served as control. Group III - Untreated diabetic rats that received two doses of alloxan 150 mg/kg. Group IV - Treated diabetic rats for thirty consecutive days with 1 ml of the extract at a dose of 425 mg/kg body wt. Group V: Treated diabetic rats for thirty consecutive days with 14.2 mg/kg of metformin. Several hematological and biochemical parameters were assessed.

Results: It was found that the administration of ethanol extract of A. graveolens produced significant reduction in blood glucose level in diabetic rats after thirty days of treatment. However, there was a significant (P=.05) increase of insulin secretion. Also, the RBC and WBC count, PCV and neutrophil percentage decreased significantly (P=.05). This study indicated that the ethanol extract increased the RBC and WBC counts, PCV, ESR, and neutrophil percentage in diabetic rats. However, the WBC count of the extract - treated diabetic group was still lower than those of control values. Administration of the extract resulted in a significant reduction in the mean values of serum cholesterol, triglyceride, LDL-C, ESR, urea, uric acid, creatinine accompanied by an increase in the mean values of total protein, albumin, insulin, HDL-C, neutrophile count and PCV in diabetic rats. No significant changes in these parameters were found in the control group. Effects produced by this extract were closely similar to a standard antidiabetic drug, metformin. (p<0.05) hypoglycemic effects in alloxan-induced diabetic rats, protection against body weight loss of diabetic animals and might alleviate diabetes-induced disturbances of some biochemical and hematological parameters.

Conclusion: our study was dedicated to monitoring changes in the lipid profile.