The hypoglycemic and antioxidant activities of garden cress (Lepidium sativum L.) seed on alloxan-induced diabetic male rats.

The hypoglycemic and antioxidants activities of the methanol extract of Lepidium sativum seeds was tested in alloxan-induced diabetic male rats. Thirty male albino rats weighing 190-200 g were divided into five groups as follows: negative control, positive control and three diabetic groups treated with three concentrations of L. sativum methanol extract for four weeks. Induction of hyperglycemia in the positive control group increased blood glucose, glycated hemoglobin A1c, immunoglobulins, liver enzyme, lipid peroxide and kidney function, total cholesterol, low-density lipoproteins, very low-density lipoproteins and decreased antioxidants and high-density lipoproteins compared with the negative control. Furthermore, pancreas tissues showed pathological changes compared with the negative control. Treating the diabetic rats with L. sativum methanol extract decreased blood sugar and restored all biochemical and histological changes to the normal. It could be concluded that L. sativum methanol extract succeeded in controlling diabetes, increasing antioxidants and ameliorating lipid profile.