Effects of hydroalcoholic extract of Rosa damascena Mill on the cardiac angiogenesis in diabetic male rats

Abstract

Background and aims : The cardiac angiogenesis is one of the complications of diabetes. The oxidative stress occurs when there is an imbalance between the production of free radicals and antioxidant defense of the body. In diabetes mellitus, hyperglycemia induces increased oxidative stress through biological processes. Diabetes is also associated with reduced antioxidant defense by reducing glutathione, catalase, and superoxide dismutase. Rosa damascena Mill has antioxidant properties. This study aimed to investigate the effects of hydroalcoholic extract of R. damascena Mill on cardiac angiogenesis in diabetic rats. Methods : In this experimental study carried out in 2016, a total of 48 adult male Wistar rats (190-200 g) were randomly divided into 8 groups (n=6) including control, extracts (200, 400, and 1000 mg/kg), diabetic, and diabetic plus extracts (200, 400, and 1000 mg/kg). Diabetes was induced by intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of streptozotocin (STZ) (50 mg/kg) and the rats were gavaged with different doses of extract for 30 days. At the end of the treatment, serum levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) were determined by enzymelinked immunosorbent assay and the rat hearts were removed for immunohistochemistry study. Results : The treatment with hydroalcoholic extract of R. damascene Mill had no significant effect on cardiac capillary density [F (7, 40)=0.5, P>0.05] and the serum levels of VEGF [F (7, 40)=0.406, P>0.05]. However, there was no significant difference in blood glucose level in extract groups compared to control rats as well as diabetic plus extract groups compared to diabetic rats [F (7,40)=0.787, P>0.05]. Conclusion : According to our results, the hydroalcoholic extract of R. damascene Mill had no effect on cardiac angiogenesis in the normal and diabetic subjects. These findings were probably due to the insufficient amounts of effective ingredients, especially flavonoids, in this plant, or the duration of extract administration.