Background: The effects of chamomile extract and endurance training on the improvement of some diabetes indices have been determined, but their effect on blood glucose and hippocampal DCX has not been investigated. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the effect of chamomile extract during endurance training on blood glucose and hippocampal DCX protein in rats with type 1 diabetes.
Methods: Thirty adult male rats were divided into control (C), diabetes (D), diabetes-endurance training (DT), diabetes-chamomile extract (DS), and diabetes-chamomile extract- endurance training (DTS) groups. Training performed five sessions/w for eight weeks. Blood glucose and hippocampal DCX protein were measured.
Findings: Blood glucose of all groups was significantly higher than C group (p=0.001). Blood glucose in DT, DS and DTS groups was significantly lower than D group (p=0.001). But, blood glucose in DS group was lower than DT group (p=0.001). Also, the blood glucose of the DTS group was significantly lower than DT and DS groups (p=0.001). However, DCX protein of all groups was significantly lower than C group (p=0.001). Also, DCX protein of DS and DTS groups was significantly greater than D group (p<0.05). However, DCX protein of DT and DS groups was not significantly different (p=0.95). But, DCX protein of DT and DS groups was significantly lower than DTS group (p=0.001).
Conclusion: The interaction effect of chamomile and training was greater than their effect alone on glucose and DCX. Therefore, it is suggested that chamomile be consumed during training to enhance their effects on glucose and hippocampal DCX protein.