Study of changes in adiponectin level in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats treated with aqueous extract of berberis vulgaris

Diabetes is the most common endocrine disease that is associated with impaired glucose and lipid metabolism. Adiponectin is a specific secretory protein from adipose tissue, having an impact on some factors predisposing to diabetes. The purpose of the present study was to explore adiponectin level in diabetic rats treated with aqueous extracts of Berberis vulgaris. In this interventional study, 25 of streptozocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats were treated with aqueous extracts of barberry specified doses (25 and 100 mg/kg body weight) for two weeks. At the end, their serum adiponectin levels were measured using ELISA kit and their respective fasting blood sugar (FBS), triglyceride, total cholesterol, HDL-C and LDL-C were also calculated using colometric measures. Data analysis showed that treatment with barberry extract, created a significant decrease in serum triglycerides, FBS, and VLDL (P=0.012). Additionally, barberry could significantly increase serum level of adiponectin (P=0.014). Oral administration of aqueous extract of barberry is effective in reducing triglyceride and FBS. An increased level of adiponectin due to using barberry extract can play a role in the regulation of lipid profile in diabetes.