Research Article

Effects of Achillea millefolium Oil on HbA1c, Oxidative Stress, and DNA Damage in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rats

Volume: 8 Number: 1 June 30, 2026
TR EN

Effects of Achillea millefolium Oil on HbA1c, Oxidative Stress, and DNA Damage in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rats

Abstract

Diabetes mellitus is characterized by persistent hyperglycemia, oxidative stress, and genomic instability. Although Achillea millefolium exhibits antioxidant and antidiabetic properties in vitro, its efficacy under conditions of severe insulin deficiency remains unclear. This study evaluated the effects of Achillea millefolium oil on glycemic control, hepatic oxidative stress, and DNA damage in a streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rat model. Thirty-five male Wistar rats were allocated to control, control + yarrow, diabetic, and diabetic + yarrow groups. Diabetes was induced by a single intraperitoneal injection of STZ (50 mg/kg), and yarrow oil (400 mg/kg/day) was administered orally for 28 days. STZ-induced diabetes resulted in marked hyperglycemia weight loss, increased hepatic malondialdehyde levels, reduced glutathione concentrations, decreased superoxide dismutase activity, and elevated DNA damage (P<0.001). Yarrow oil significantly reduced glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels in diabetic rats (P<0.001); however, it did not improve fasting plasma glucose, antioxidant parameters, or DNA damage indices. Notably, hepatic lipid peroxidation was further increased in the diabetic+yarrow group. These findings indicate that Achillea millefolium oil exerts a limited effect on long-term glycemic control and does not mitigate oxidative stress or genomic instability under severe insulin-deficient conditions. Further studies focusing on dose optimization, phytochemical characterization, and mechanistic pathways are warranted.

Keywords

Supporting Institution

Aydın Adnan Menderes University

Project Number

ADÜ-BAP VTF-17036

Ethical Statement

This research was supported by the Scientific Research Projects Coordination Unit (BAP Project No. VTF-17036) of Aydın Adnan Menderes University.

Thanks

This study was derived from a master’s thesis conducted at Aydın Adnan Menderes University. The authors thank the Experimental Animals Production and Research Laboratory, Faculty of Medicine, Aydın Adnan Menderes University, Aydın, Türkiye.

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Veterinary Pharmacology

Journal Section

Research Article

Publication Date

June 30, 2026

Submission Date

March 27, 2026

Acceptance Date

May 14, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 8 Number: 1

APA
Güney Kaya, K., & Sekkin, S. (2026). Effects of Achillea millefolium Oil on HbA1c, Oxidative Stress, and DNA Damage in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rats. Turkish Veterinary Journal, 8(1), 7-13. https://doi.org/10.51755/turkvetj.1917682
AMA
1.Güney Kaya K, Sekkin S. Effects of Achillea millefolium Oil on HbA1c, Oxidative Stress, and DNA Damage in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rats. Turk Vet J. 2026;8(1):7-13. doi:10.51755/turkvetj.1917682
Chicago
Güney Kaya, Kübra, and Selim Sekkin. 2026. “Effects of Achillea Millefolium Oil on HbA1c, Oxidative Stress, and DNA Damage in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rats”. Turkish Veterinary Journal 8 (1): 7-13. https://doi.org/10.51755/turkvetj.1917682.
EndNote
Güney Kaya K, Sekkin S (June 1, 2026) Effects of Achillea millefolium Oil on HbA1c, Oxidative Stress, and DNA Damage in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rats. Turkish Veterinary Journal 8 1 7–13.
IEEE
[1]K. Güney Kaya and S. Sekkin, “Effects of Achillea millefolium Oil on HbA1c, Oxidative Stress, and DNA Damage in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rats”, Turk Vet J, vol. 8, no. 1, pp. 7–13, June 2026, doi: 10.51755/turkvetj.1917682.
ISNAD
Güney Kaya, Kübra - Sekkin, Selim. “Effects of Achillea Millefolium Oil on HbA1c, Oxidative Stress, and DNA Damage in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rats”. Turkish Veterinary Journal 8/1 (June 1, 2026): 7-13. https://doi.org/10.51755/turkvetj.1917682.
JAMA
1.Güney Kaya K, Sekkin S. Effects of Achillea millefolium Oil on HbA1c, Oxidative Stress, and DNA Damage in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rats. Turk Vet J. 2026;8:7–13.
MLA
Güney Kaya, Kübra, and Selim Sekkin. “Effects of Achillea Millefolium Oil on HbA1c, Oxidative Stress, and DNA Damage in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rats”. Turkish Veterinary Journal, vol. 8, no. 1, June 2026, pp. 7-13, doi:10.51755/turkvetj.1917682.
Vancouver
1.Kübra Güney Kaya, Selim Sekkin. Effects of Achillea millefolium Oil on HbA1c, Oxidative Stress, and DNA Damage in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rats. Turk Vet J. 2026 Jun. 1;8(1):7-13. doi:10.51755/turkvetj.1917682