Antidiabetic activity of two aqueous extracts of two cucurbitaceae: Citrullus colocynthis and Bryonia dioica

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the antidiabetic activity of the aqueous extract of Citrullus colocynthis L Schrad. (colocynth) fruits, CCFaq and Bryonia dioica Jacq. (White bryony) roots, BDRaq in neonatal streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats (n5-STZ diabetic rats). Experimental type 2 diabetes mellitus was induced by neonatal injection of streptozotocin (90 mg/kg i.p.) to pups of rats on the 5th day of birth. After 9 weeks, experimental type 2 diabetes mellitus was confirmed by polyphagia, polydipsia, polyuria, glucose intolerance, and fasting blood glucose levels > 1.50 g/L. Antidiabetic effect of CCFaq (20 mg/kg, i.p.) and BDRaq (30 mg/kg, i.p.) extracts as well as standard glibenclamide (10 mg/kg, i.p.) was evaluated on acute (3 h) and subacute (21 days) administration. Variations of body and some organs’ weight (pancreas, liver, kidney, and spleen) were recorded. Biochemical estimations of glucose, total cholesterol, triglycerides and urea levels were carried out during the experimentation. Intraperitoneal administration of CCFaq and BDRaq extracts as well as standard glibenclamide for 21 days to n5-STZ diabetic rats significantly (P < 0.01) decreased the level of serum glucose by –51%,–64% and–58% reductions, respectively. The body weight as well as serum levels of total cholesterol, triglycerides, and urea were markedly reversed secondary to subacute administration of aqueous extracts. In addition, changes in the weight of internal organs were restored to normal by the prolonged effect of BDRaq extract treatment. When compared with the CCFaq extract, the BDRaq extract appeared to have maximum antidiabetic activity in normalizing all studied parameters during the acute and subacute treatments. This study reveals the interesting antidiabetic effect of C. colocynthis and B. dioica and supports their traditional use for the treatment of diabetes mellitus.