Abstract

Non-enzymatic glycation of proteins is the major cause of diabetic complications and therefore, inhibition of this reaction could reduce the morbidity of this disease. The aim of this study was to evaluate the in vitro effects of aqueous and hydroethanol extracts of Echium italicum L., Anchusa arvensis L. and Trichodesma incanum (Bunge) A. DC. of Boraginaceae on albumin, hemoglobin, and crystalline glycation reaction. The results showed that the hydroethanol extract of Echium italicum in the concentrations of 100, 50 and 10 mg/dl could reduce the rate of albumin glycation to 85.10±1.85, 64.14±1.12 and 40.13±1.17%, respectively, and also in the same conditions, rates of hemoglobin glycation were reduced to 69.20±1.71, 46.13±1.93 and 27.73±0.90%, respectively. Moreover, extracts of three tested plants have antiglycation effects on crystalline glycation reaction. Under the identical conditions, the inhibitory effects of hydroethanol extracts of Echium italicum on the albumin, hemoglobin, and crystalline glycation reaction were higher than other extracts. The findings showed that the extracts of tested species, particularly in the hydroethanol form, could be used to prevent and treat complications of diabetes mellitus.be used to prevent and treat complications of diabetes mellitus.