Abstract

Introduction: Considering the beneficial anti-lipidemic effects of Commiphora Mukul (CM) (ashwagandha) on metabolism, the hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic effects of this plant were investigated in an experimental model of diabetes mellitus. Materials and Methods: Fifty-six male Wistar rats  were randomly divided into 4 groups, i.e. control, CM-treated control, diabetic, and CM-treated diabetic groups. The treatment groups received oral administration of plant-mixed pelleted food (6.25%) for two months. Serum glucose, triglyceride, total cholesterol, LDL- and HDL- cholesterol levels were determined before the study, and at 4 and 8th weeks after the experiment. Results: The weight loss (%) in CM-treated diabetic rats (7.8± 2.2%) compared to diabetic (29.8 ± 2.2 %) ones showed a significant difference (P< 0.05). Serum glucose levels in diabetic rats increased significantly, compared to CM-diabetic animals (0.05), and in both groups compared to controls (0.01). Triglyceride and cholesterol levels in the diabetic group increased non significantly, but in CM-treated diabetic rats, these levels decreased more significantly. Finally, in CM-treated control and the CM-diabetic animals, mild decrease in LDL and increase in HDL, demonstrateds a suitable HDL/LDL ratio in CM-treated control (24%) and CM-diabetic rats (248%) as compared to controls. Conclusion: Oral chronic administration of CM diminished the weight loss of animals with STZ inducted diabetes (STZ-groups) more significantly. Also, a marked hypoglycemic effect was seen in CM-treated rats. Feeding animals with CM leads to appropriate changes in blood lipid profiles i.e. high ratio of HDL/LDL.