Amelioration of altered antioxidant enzyme activity by Satureja khuzistanica essential oil in alloxan-induced diabetic rats

AIM: To examine the possible protective effect of Satureja khuzistanica essential oil(SKE) on antioxidant enzyme activity in alloxan-induced Type 1 diabetic rats. METHOD: Thirty Sprague-Dawley male rats were divided into three groups randomly; group one as control, group two diabetic, with no treatment, and group three treatment with SKE at 500 ppm in drinking water, respectively. Diabetes was induced in the second and third groups by alloxan injection subcutaneously. After eight weeks, animals were anaesthetized. Blood samples were also collected before killing to measure antioxidant enzymes activity. RESULTS: SKE significantly increased the serum level of glutathione and the serum activity of glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, and catalase in the treated group compared with the diabetic untreated group. CONCLUSION: The findings showed that SKE exerts beneficial effects on the antioxidant enzymes activity in alloxan-induced Type 1 diabetic rats.