Effect of Persian shallot (Allium hirtifolium Boiss.) extract on glucokinase (GCK), glycogen phosphorylase and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK) genes expression in diabetic rats

Abstract

Hepatic GCK is a key enzyme in glucose homeostasis and, as such, is a potential target for treatment strategies of diabetes. We investigated the effect of Persian shallot (Allium hirtifolium Boiss) hydroalchoholic extract on blood glucose level, plasma insulin level, GCK activity and its gene expression. Thirty two male rats were divided into 4 groups of 8, diabetic groups received 100 and 200 mg/kg Persian shallot extract, diabetic control and normal control received 0.9% saline for 30 days. Investigations of gene expression by Real-Time PCR showed that Persian shallot had led to gently increased GCK gene expression in diabetic rats. GCK activity increased significantly in Persian shallot treated group in dose dependent manner (P