Qom University of Medical Sciences Journal

Background and Objectives: Diabetes mellitus is the most common endocrine disease and refers to a group of metabolic abnormalities associated with hyperglycemia, which is characterized by defects in insulin, insulin function, or both. Rhubarb is used in traditional medicine of China for various diseases including diabetes and high blood pressure and also as a laxative. This study was conducted with the purpose of determining the effect of hydroalcoholic extract of rhubarb root on glucose and histopathological changes in the pancreas of diabetic rats.

Methods: In this study, 24 female rats were divided into 4 groups. One group, as a control group, received normal saline. In the other three groups, after induction of diabetes, one group received normal saline, the second group received rhubarb root extract (150mg/kg), andthelast groupreceivedglibenclamide(at a dose of 0.6mg/kg). Induction of diabetes was performed by alloxan at a dose of 120mg/kg, IP. After 4 weeks of treatment, the rats were euthanized and blood sampling was done. Then, biochemical parameters and blood sugar levels were measured. Pancreases were removed and after fixation and hematoxylin and eosin staining, werestudied by light microscope. Data were analyzed by one-way ANOVA and Tukey’s test. The significance level was considered p<0.05.

Results: In this study, the levels of glucose, cholesterol, triglyceride, and weight gain significantly decreased (p<0.05) in the rats treated with rhubarb root extract, compared to the diabetic control group. Also, rhubarb root extract increased the diameter of Langerhans islets compared to diabetic group (p<0.05).

Conclusion: According to the findings of this study, rhubarb root has hypoglycaemic effects and is effective in the treatment of diabetes.