Evaluation the Anti-Diabetic Activity of Cherry Laurel (Laurocerasus officinalis)

ABSTRACT

Purpose: Cherry laurel has been used as an anti-diabetic drug. In this study, we aimed to evaluate its antidiabetic activity at standard living conditions and under stress by an experimental study. Material and Method: Forty Wistar-Albino rats weighing 300–350 grams were used in this study. Four groups were structured: control, diabetic, glibenclamide and cherry laurel extract. Streptozotocin (50 mg/kg) was injected to induce diabetes. Cherry laurel extract was obtained from the seed of the fruit. Routine blood glucose, insulin, pre- and intraanesthesia blood glucose levels were measured and compared. The One-way ANOVA followed by Duncan post-hoc test was used for statistical analysis. Results: After the second week of the experiment, Extract 300 and Extract 600 groups had the lower glucose levels (p<0.05). Also, insulin levels measured at the last week of the study revealed that Extract 300 and Extract 600 groups had the highest results (p< 0.01). Glucose levels under stress conditions significantly changed for Extract 300 and glibenclamide group (p<0.05). Glucose level changed more obviously in the Extract 600 group (p<0.001) that means irregularity. Conclusion: Cherry laurel extract exhibits an anti-diabetic effect, with administration leading to elevated insulin levels, and regulating glucose levels under stress conditions like anesthesia. These preliminary results indicate that further evaluation is warranted.