Anti-diabetic effects of an alcoholic extract of Juglans regia in an animal model

Aim: Many traditional treatments have been recommended in the alternative system of medicine for treatment of diabetes mellitus. Juglans regia is one of the medicinal plants used in traditional Iranian medicine as a treatment for diabetes, but little scientific documentation supports its antidiabetic action. The purpose of this study was to investigate antidiabetic effect of J. regia leaves in type 1 diabetes induced animal model.Materials and methods: Four groups of animals were selected. Group I animals were fed a normal diet. Animals of groups II, III, and IV received streptozotocin. Animals of groups III and IV were treated with J. regia leaf extract 200 and 400 mg/kg body weight for 28 days. The various parameters studied included body weight, blood glucose, triglycerides, cholesterols, LDL, VLDL, HDL, insulin, and glycated hemoglobin in all groups.Results: Treatment with the J. regia extracts resulted in a significant decrease in blood glucose, glycosylated hemoglobin, LDL, triglyceride, and total cholesterol, and a significant increase in insulin and HDL level.Conclusion: The plant extract is capable of ameliorating hyperglycemia in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats and is a potential source for active agent(s) for diabetes mellitus. It is concluded that J. regia leaf extract can be potentially used to control type 1 diabetes.