Abstract

Background: Diabetes is the sixth leading cause of death in the world and most patients with the disease have non insulin diabetes mellitus. Capparis spinosa L., a profusely branched hedge plant, is used in Iranian traditional medicine as a folk treatment. The purpose of this research was to experimentally validate the effect of antidiabetic of C. spinosa in an animal model of hyperglycemia. Material and Methods: Aerial organs of Capparis spinosa were extracted with water and concentrated to dryness. Fifty four wistar male rats were divided into nine groups, which is included six males with weighing 200-250 g. The aqueous extract was investigated for possible blood glucose decreasing effect produced by single oral administration at various dose levels 10, 20, 40, 60 and 80 mg/kg in the Streptozotocin induced diabetic rats and compared against normal saline control and the standard Glibenclamide.  Blood glucose was measured from the tail vein of the rats daily before drug administration. The blood glucose concentration was determined by glucometer and the results were recorded for analysis.  The LD₅₀ (the median lethal dose) value was determined as 160 mg/kg body weight by acute toxicity study. Results: A maximum lowering of blood plasma glucose level was shown after 2 days of treatment when administered with aqueous extract of Capparis spinosa at 60 and 80 mg/kg oral administrations and 2 ml Sub Coetaneous administration mg/kg compared to control group (p<0.001). Conclusions: The data of this study suggest that the Capparis spinosa aerial organs may be prescribed as an adjunct to traditional formulation and drug treatment for controlling and monitoring type 2 diabetes mellitus.