Antioxidant effect of Ajuga iva aqueous extract in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the possible antioxidant effect of an aqueous extract of Ajuga iva (Ai) in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. Twelve diabetic rats were divided into two groups fed a casein diet supplemented or not with Ai (0.5%), for 4 weeks. In vitro, the Ai extract possessed a very high antioxidant effect (1 mg/ml was similar to those of trolox 300 mmol/l). The results indicated that plasma thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) values were reduced by 41% in Ai-treated compared with untreated diabetic rats. TBARS concentrations were lower 1.5-fold in liver, 1.8-fold in heart, 1.9-fold in muscle and 2.1-fold in brain in Ai-treated than untreat…