stevia and especially nano-stevia induced anti diabetic, antidepressant, and analgesic effects in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

Introduction: diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disease. this disease is almost associated with depression and impaired pain sensation. stevia rebaudiana bertoni (stevia) has a sweet taste and a useful effect in blood glucose control. this study was designed to evaluate the effect of stevia and nano-stevia on psychological problems (e.g. depression and pain) induced by diabetes. methods: by a single intraperitoneal administration of streptozotocin, diabetes mellitus was induced in male wistar rats. stevia (20 mg/dl per day for 30 days) and nano-stevia (20 mg/dl per day for 30 days) were administrated intra-gastrically in diabetic rats. using the forced swim test (fst) and formalin test, depression and pain behaviors were measured, respectively. results: the results exhibited that male diabetic rats showed hyperglycemia, depressant-related behavior, and hyperalgesic response. on the other hand, intragastric usage of stevia (20 mg/dl per day for 30 days) and nano-stevia (20 mg/dl per day for 30 days) modified the hyperglycemia, depressant-related response, and hyperalgesic effect in diabetic rats. nano-stevia indicated the maximum significant response rather than stevia.conclusion: the results of this study indicate that stevia and particularly nano-stevia could be beneficial in managing diabetes and its associated behavioral complications.