Abstract
Purpose: To investigate the antidiabetic effect of Balanites aegyptiaca fruit kernel, flesh and their mixture on streptozocin (STZ)-induced diabetes in male rats.Methods: Six-week-old male Wistar rats were divided into nine groups: (1) control; (2) kernel; (3) flesh; (4) kernel + flesh; (5) STZ; (6) STZ + kernel; (7) STZ + flesh; (8) STZ + (kernel + flesh) and (9) STZ + metformin. Body weight changes, fasting blood glucose and serum insulin were assessed. Haematoxylin and Eosin (H & E) stained pancreas sections were examined microscopically for the number and status of β cells.Results: Administration of Balanites aegyptiaca kernel, flesh and their mixture significantly increased rat body weight compared to STZ-treated rats. In addition, the hypoglycemic effect of kernel, flesh and their mixture was noticed. In STZ-treated rats, administration of Balanites aegyptiaca kernel and kernel + flesh mixture significantly increased serum insulin (p < 0.05). Histopathological examination revealed a marked increase in the islets cell population with cellular activation, with superior effect in STZ + kernel group and STZ + (kernel + flesh) group.Conclusion: Balanites aegyptiaca showed a hypoglycemic effect which is comparable to metformin action. Further studies are required to determine its suitability as an anti-diabetic agent in humansKeywords: Balanites aegyptiaca, Diabetes, Histopathology, Insulin, Pancreas
Highlights
Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a metabolic syndrome which is characterized by a chronic hyperglycemic status generated due to deficiency in insulin, resistance to insulin effect or both [1,2]
This study aims at investigating the potential hypoglycemic effect of the methanolic extract of different parts of Balanites aegypiaca fruit, including kernel, flesh and their mixture in a model of STZ-induced DM in male rats
The results of the present study showed a hypoglycemic effect of methanolic extract of Balanites aegypiaca kernel, flesh and their mixture as indicated by the reduction in the levels of fasting blood glucose when compared with STZ-treated rats
Summary
Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a metabolic syndrome which is characterized by a chronic hyperglycemic status generated due to deficiency in insulin, resistance to insulin effect or both [1,2]. Another study revealed a hypoglycemic nephroprotective effect of Balanites aegyptiaca fruit (flesh) in streptozocine-induced DM in rats [12]. This study was carried out to investigate the antidiabetic, biochemical and histological effects of the whole Balanites aegyptiaca fruit (kernel, flesh and their combination) in STZ-induced type 2 DM in rats. Group IV (Mix): rats in this group were i.g. administered 650 mg/kg methanol extract of Balanites aegyptiaca kernel + flesh mixture. STZ-treated rats were i.g. administered 650 mg/kg methanolic extract of Balanites aegyptiaca flesh. Group VIII(STZ + Mix): STZ-treated rats were i.g. administered 650 mg/kg methanolic extract of Balanites aegyptiaca kernel + flesh mixture. Treatment of control and diabetic rats with methanol extract of Balanites aegyptiaca fruit kernel, flesh and their mixture were continued for 6 weeks.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
