The antioxidant and antidiabetic activity of the Arabian balsam tree "Commiphora gileadensis" in hyperlipidaemic male rats.

The leaf and twig aqueous extracts of Arabian balsam tree (Commiphora gileadensis) were tested to protect against alloxan-induced hyperglycaemia in hypercholesterolemic male rats. The antioxidants, high density lipoproteins, IgE and α-Amylase were decreased, whereas kidney function indices, liver function enzymes, triglycerides, cholesterol, low density lipoproteins and all immunoglobulins except IgE were increased as a result of alloxan administration. Moreover, the renal, hepatic and pancreatic tissue showed a drastic pathological damage. In G3 and G4, treating the diabetic rats with C. gileadensis leaf and twig extracts, respectively greatly ameliorated all biochemical parameters and the injured tissues and restored them nearly to the normal. In G4, the aqueous extract of C. gileadensis twig was more efficient in treating the diabetic rats than the leaf aqueous extract in G3. Both C. gileadensis leaf and twig aqueous extracts succeeded in adjusting the glucose levels of diabetic rats under hypercholesterolemic condition due to their antioxidant activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]