Biochemical Evaluation of Hypoglycemic Effect of Stingless Bee Pollen in High Fat Diet Fed-Low Dose STZ Induced Experimental Type 2 Diabetes in Rats

Abstract

The present study was aimed to evaluate the hypoglycemic properties of stingless bee pollen in HFD fed-low dose STZ induced experimental type 2 diabetes in rats. Healthy, male wistar rats weighing between 160-180g were used in the present study. The rats were divided into four groups of six animals each. Group I served as control rats fed with normal pellet diet. Group II fed with a high fat diet for two weeks and intraperitoneally injected with a low dose of STZ (35mg/kg. b.w.) to induce experimental type 2 diabetes. Group III were induced with diabetes and treated with stingless bee pollen (100 mg/kg b.w/rat/day) for oral administration, respectively. Group VI was diabetic rats treated with metformin (50mg/kg.b.w.), a standard drug used for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. Body weight, food and fluid consumption were recorded periodically. At the end of the experimental period, the animals were starved overnight and OGTT was performed.  After 30 days of experimental period, the animals were overnight fasted, anesthetized and scarified by cervical decapitation. Blood was collected with and without anticoagulants for the separation of plasma and serum, respectively. The biochemical analysis performed includes fasting blood glucose, HbA1c, plasma insulin, C-peptide and urine sugar. Insulin resistance, β-cell function and insulin sensitivity were also manipulated from HOMA-IR, HOMA β-cell function and QUICK-I index. The results of the present study clearly indicate that the stingless bee pollen significantly decreased the levels of fasting blood glucose and HbA1c. Stingless bee pollen improves the plasma insulin and C-peptide levels. From the arithmetic data, stingless bee pollen reduces the insulin resistance and enhances β-cell function and insulin sensitivity. The antidiabetic efficacy was more pronounced in rats treated with stingless bee pollen. The results obtained clearly evidenced that the stingless bee pollen significant antidiabetic properties used in the present study.
 Keyword: Type 2 diabetes mellitus, High fat diet, stingless bee pollen, Antidiabetic properties