مختصر البحث:
This study aimed to evaluate the effects of Laurus Nobilis (Bay leaves) alcoholic extract on glucose, hemoglobin A1c
(HbA1c), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), creatinine, and urea levels; moreover, it
was attempted…
This study aimed to evaluate the effects of Laurus Nobilis (Bay leaves) alcoholic extract on glucose, hemoglobin A1c
(HbA1c), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), creatinine, and urea levels; moreover, it
was attempted to examine the histological changes induced in the liver and kidney among female albino rats treated with
Depakene (Sodium Valproate). The L. nobilis leaves were dried in the shade, and they were then ground in mechanical
processing. The resulting substance (250 gm) was processed in 70% ethanol for 24 h using a Soxhlet extractor at 45°C.
Before being measured, the extract was concentrated in vacuo and stored in a vacuum desiccator until the elimination of
all the solvents. In total, 20 female adult Wistar rats (230-250 g) were bred in the Animal House Lab at the University of
Kufa, Faculty of Education for Girls, Kufa, Iraq. These animals were randomly divided into four groups (n=5), housed in
a typical laboratory setting, and given a standard diet and water. Each animal received the treatments intraperitoneally for
30 days. The experimental groups were designed as follows: group 1 (the control) was given only physiological saline
solution; group 2 received alcoholic extract of L. nobilis leaves at a dose of 150 mg/kg BW; group 3 received Depakene
(Sodium Valproate) at a dose of 500 mg/kg BW; and group 4 received alcoholic extract+Depakene at a dose of 150
mg/kg BW and 500 mg/kg BW. The animals were euthanized following anaesthesia 24 h after the last day of the
experiment. Heart blood samples were gathered in gel tubes, the serum was then centrifuged for 15 min at 3000 rpm to
measure the biochemical parameter levels, which included glucose, HbA1C, ALT, AST, creatinine, and urea. The liver
and kidney organs were removed and placed in a 10% formaldehyde solution instantly. Following fixation, they were
processed as usual before being embedded in paraffin for histological analysis. Morphological changes were assessed
using hematoxylin and eosin staining techniques. The recorded data showed a major drop (P<0.05) in blood glucose and
HbA1c levels in group 2 which was given ethanol extract, compared to the other groups. Interestingly, the level of blood
glucose and HbA1c levels reduced significantly in group 4, which was given L. nobilis+Depakene, compared to the
control and the animals treated with only Depakene. Moreover, the results showed a major rise (P<0.05) in the liver
enzyme among the animals treated with Depakene, compared to other groups. On the other hand, the recorded data
showed a substantial drop (P<0.05) in creatinine levels in the animals treated with L. nobilis leaves extract (group 2) and
group 4, compared to group 3 and the control group, respectively. However, no changes were recorded in the case of urea
levels among the groups. Finally, the findings of this study showed that the ethanol extract of L. nobilis leaves was
effectively reduced the adverse effects of Depakene. On the other hand, it had a significant effect on the reduction of
blood glucose.
