The effect of aqua-ethanolic extract of yellow horned poppy (Glaucium flavum Crantz) on serum activity of hepatic enzymes and insulin concentration in diabetic male rats induced by alloxan

Background: Glaucium flavum Crantz (Yellow Horned Poppy, YPH) is used to reduce complications of diabetes in Iranian folk medicine. This study was conducted to compare the effect of aqua-ethanolic extract of Yellow Horned Poppy and Glibenclamide on serum levels of AST, ALT, ALP and insulin in diabetic rats induced by alloxan. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, 40 adult male Wistar rats were randomly divided into five groups of eight: healthy control, healthy treated with 500mg/kg body weight (BW) of the YPH extract (healthy+YPH), diabetic control, diabetic treated with 500mg/kg BW of the extract (diabetic+YPH), diabetic treated with 5μg/kg BW of Glibenclamide (diabetic+ medicine). Diabetes was induced by injection of alloxan. After a month, blood samples were collected and serum levels of liver enzymes and insulin were also measured. Finally, the data were analyzed by one-way ANOVA and Tukey's post-hoc test. Results: The activity of AST and ALP enzymes in the diabetic+YPH group was significantly higher than that in the diabetic+drug group (P=0.04). Also, ALT activity and insulin concentration in diabetic+YPH group significantly increased compared to diabetic control group (P<0.001). Conclusion: The findings of this study reveal that oral administration of the YHP extract in addition to its hepatoprotective activity against diabetes-induced stress, can enhance serum insulin level.