RESUMEN
OBJECTIVES: Cistus salviifoluis L. is a shrub from Cistaceae family used in many traditional medicines for the treatment of various diseases including diabetes mellitus. The aim of this study was to evaluate the in vivo antidiabetic potential of the aerial parts aqueous extract of Cistus salviifolius L. (CSA). METHODS: Experimental diabetes was induced in adult male mice by intra-peritoneal injection of Streptozotocin-nicotinamide (STZ-NC). CSA at a dose of 500 mg/kg was administered daily to the diabetic mice for four weeks. The effect of the extract on hyperglycemia, body weight, serum total cholesterol, triglycerides, hepatic and renal functional markers were determined. Histopathological examination of the mice pancreas was also performed. The diabetic animals treated with CSA were compared with animals treated by the standard drug metformin. RESULTS: Treatment with CSA showed a significant reduction in blood glucose, total triglycerides and creatinine levels and prevented the reduction of body weight caused by diabetes. Furthermore, histopathological analysis of the mice pancreas showed that the group treated with CSA reduced damage induced by STZ-NC on islets of Langerhans cells when compared to the diabetic control. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that the aqueous extract of Moroccan C. salviifolius L. possesses beneficial effect on treatment of diabetes.