Abstract
The current investigation was planned to assess the hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic efficiency of watermelon seeds on male albino rats. Eight male albino rats weighing between 105-150g were randomly selected for the present experiment and were placed into two equal groups (n=4) designated as control and treated group. The control group received normal stock diet (20% protein, 5 % fat, 60 % carbohydrate). The treated group received a modified diet (90g Stock diet excluding groundnut oil + 9g watermelon seed kernel + 1g sugar). Percentages of protein, fat and carbohydrate in the modified diet were kept same as that of the stock diet. All animals were given water ad libitum. Rats were weighed at weekly intervals. After 28 days rats were anesthetized using chloroform anesthesia and blood samples were collected via cardiac puncture and serum was obtained for evaluation of some biochemical parameters. Result showed that serum glucose, triglyceride (TG) and very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) of the treated group were decreased significantly (p < 0.01, p < 0.05 and p < 0.05 respectively) compared to that of the control group. Liver glycogen, serum total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein (LDL) and AI (Atherogenic Index) were decreased (non-significant) whereas high density lipoprotein (HDL) increased (non-significant) in the treated group.
Highlights
Dual burden of malnutrition exists in the Indian society
Serum glucose level decreased significantly (p < 0.01) among the treated group of animals than that of the control group but there was no significant difference in the liver glycogen content of the two groups of rats (Table-3)
In skeletal muscle of non-diabetic rats glucose is augmented by branched chain amino acids (BCAAs) through enhancement of translocation of glucose transporter 4 to the plasma membrane via phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase and protein kinase C pathways
Summary
According to NFHS 3 (2005-2006) diabetes is highly prevalent in urban areas (1.374% women and 1.383% men) than in rural areas (0.641% women and 0.86% men). According to NFHS 3 (2005-2006) 40.4% children of below 3 years were underweight. Among the adults 36% of women and 34% of men are undernourished, with a BMI less than 18.5. This indicates an alarming situation of nutritional deficiency. In this present scenario recently more attention has been focused to recover valuable components from neglected food parts (food “losses”, “wastes”, “by-products”) and reintroduce them inside the food chain. Watermelon (Citrullus vulgaris) seed, whose cultivar name is Sugar baby is one of such component
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