SUMMARY: The aim of this study to evaluate the potential protective effects of morin on the liver of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Thirty two healthy young and adult male rats were taken for the study and divided into: control non diabetic groupI; morin non diabetic groupII; diabetic untreated groupIII and (diabetic treated with morin group IV, with each group comprising of 8 rats (n=8). Diabetes was induced by a single intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (55mg/kg). Morin was administered orally in a dose of 30mg/kg daily for 6 weeks. Biochemical estimation of fasting blood glucose, plasma markers of liver function including alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), albumin and total bilirubin were carried out. The liver of the rats were collected for clinical biochemical analysis, measuring the levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) in tissue, and enzymatic antioxidants such as glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and were studied histopathologicaly by light microscopy as well as by immunohistochemical analysis. Fasting blood glucose level was highly significantly increased, ALT, AST, ALP and bilirubin level was significantly increased, whereas albumin level was significantly decreased in diabetic untreated group III compared with the control group I. In contrast levels of blood glucose was significantly decreased in group II and group IV treated with morin compared with control group I, whereas the levels of ALT, AST, ALP and bilirubin were significantly decreased and albumin level was significantly increased in group IV treated with morin compared with the control group I. The level of MDA was significantly increased, whereas the level of GSH-Px was significantly decreased in-group III compare with the control group I. In contrast, the level of MDA was significantly decreased, and the level of GSH-Px was significantly increased in diabetic group IV treated with morin. Histopathological analysis of the liver showed pathological changes. However, treatment with morin attenuated the histopathological changes and corrected the biochemical parameters mentioned above. Morin has a hepatoprotective effect; it has been shown to attenuate the hepatic injury and apoptosis induced by streptozotocin, has the capacity to scavenge free radicals, protect against oxidative stress, improve antioxidant enzyme activities, and has antidiabetic efficacy on diabetic rats. |
