Abstract:
This study aimed to assess the protective potential of glimepiride and Nerium oleander extract on lipid profile, body
growth rate, and renal function in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. The animals were divided into control and experimental
groups. The experimental group was rendered diabetic by intraperitoneal injection of a single dose of 50 mg/kg body weight
streptozotocin. Rats with glucose levels >200 mg/dl were subdivided into 3 sub-groups. Rats in the first sub-group remained
without treatment and were considered diabetic. Those in the second and third subgroups were orally administered 0.1 mg/kg body
weight daily glimepiride and 250 mg/kg body weight daily Nerium oleander extract, respectively, for 4 weeks. In the streptozotocininduced diabetic rats, serum triglycerides and cholesterol were significantly increased whereas body growth rate was markedly
decreased compared to the controls. In contrast to uric acid and creatinine, urea concentrations were markedly elevated. Treatment
of diabetic rats with glimepiride or plant extract improved all of these parameters, indicating their antidiabetic efficacy.