Effects of Chamomile Extract Supplementation Combined with Endurance Training on Blood Glucose Levels and Hippocampal VEGF Protein in Type 1 Diabetic Rats

Bazgir, Amirmohammad; Valipour Dehnou, Vahid

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Volume 30, Issue 2 (Bimothly 2026)

Feyz Med Sci J 2026, 30(2): 2-2

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Effects of Chamomile Extract Supplementation Combined with Endurance Training on Blood Glucose Levels and Hippocampal VEGF Protein in Type 1 Diabetic Rats

Amirmohammad Bazgir

, Vahid Valipour Dehnou ^*

Sports Sciences Department, Faculty of Literature and Human Sciences, Lorestan University, Khorramabad, Iran , Valipour.v@lu.ac.ir

Abstract: (464 Views)

Background and Aim: Evidence suggests that both chamomile extract and endurance training independently improve metabolic status and neurobiological indices in Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a key marker of neuroangiogenesis and neuronal health in the hippocampus. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the effects of chamomile extract supplementation combined with endurance training on blood glucose levels and hippocampal VEGF protein in type 1 diabetic rats.
Methods: In this experimental study, 30 adult male Wistar rats (195–200 g) were randomly divided into five equal groups (n = 6): control (C), diabetic (D), diabetic + endurance training (DT), diabetic + chamomile extract (DS), and diabetic + chamomile extract + endurance training (DTS). Moderate-intensity endurance training was performed five sessions per week for eight weeks. Chamomile extract was administered orally at a dose of 250 mg/kg daily. Blood glucose levels and hippocampal VEGF protein were measured using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).
Results: Blood glucose levels were significantly higher in diabetic groups compared with the control group (p = 0.001). Both endurance training and chamomile extract significantly reduced blood glucose levels, with the combined intervention showing a greater reduction (p = 0.001). Hippocampal VEGF levels were significantly lower in the diabetic group compared with the control group (p = 0.001). In contrast, VEGF levels increased significantly in all intervention groups compared with the diabetic group (p < 0.05). No significant difference was observed between the DT and DS groups (p = 0.37), nor between DT and DTS groups (p = 0.13), whereas the DTS group showed a significant increase in VEGF levels compared with the DS group (p = 0.002).
Conclusion: The findings indicate that endurance training and chamomile extract supplementation, both individually and in combination, improve glycemic control and increase hippocampal VEGF levels in type 1 diabetic rats. The combined intervention appears to exert a neuroprotective effect against diabetes-induced neural damage by improving metabolic status and enhancing neuroangiogenic factors.

Keywords: Type 1 diabetes, Endurance training, Chamomile extract, VEGF, Hippocampus

Type of Study: Applicable | Subject: General
Received: 2025/09/13 | Revised: 2026/07/1 | Accepted: 2026/05/13 | Published: 2026/07/1

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Bazgir A, Valipour Dehnou V. Effects of Chamomile Extract Supplementation Combined with Endurance Training on Blood Glucose Levels and Hippocampal VEGF Protein in Type 1 Diabetic Rats. Feyz Med Sci J 2026; 30 (2) :2-2
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