Allium elburzense (A. elborzense, Alliaceae), a plant rich in saponins, is an edible vegetable in northern Iran
with a folk background use as antidiabetic which has not yet been examined for this indication. To evaluate
the antidiabetic potential of A. elburzense, its hydroalcoholic (HdAE) and butanolic extracts (BuE) were
examined. The acute (1, 2, 3, 4, 8 h) and sub-acute (11 days) effects of oral (p.o.) and intraperitoneal (i.p.)
administration of HdAE and BuE of A. elburzense bulbs in different doses were evaluated on blood glucose
levels of normal and streptozotocin (STZ, 55 mg/kg body weight)-induced diabetic rats. Glibenclamide (1
mg/kg b.w.) was used as reference drug. Sub-acute treatment with HdAE for 11 days reduced significantly
blood glucose levels in diabetic rats (at least P<0.05), while BuE was effective only following i.p.
administration (P<0.01). Acute administration did not reduce blood glucose level in normal and diabetic
animals. It is concluded that HdAE of A. elburzense exhibited a significant antihyperglycemic activity
following chronic administration. These results provide evidence for potential use of A. elburzense in
diabetes mellitus considering the fact that this plant is endemic to a location of Iran where diabetes is a high
prevalence disorder.
