Effect of cucurbita ficifolia fruit extract on lipid profile and oral glucose tolerance in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats
2009
Xia, Tao | Wang, Qin
Cucurbita ficifolia (C. ficifolia) commonly known as pumpkin is a cultivated plant whose fruit can be used for treating various diseases, one of which is diabetes mellitus. This study was undertaken to investigate the effects of long term feeding of C. ficifolia fruit extract on blood glucose, lipid profiles and the oral glucose tolerance test in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced type 1 diabetic rats. Treatment for 30 days showed a significant decrease in blood glucose, triglyceride, low density lipoprotein and a significant increase in high density lipoprotein level. A significant effect on oral glucose tolerance was also noted. Chronic administration showed an improvement in the oral glucose tolerance curve. These results suggest that C. ficifolia fruit extract exhibits hypoglycemic as well as hypolipidemic effects in the STZ-induced diabetic rats. Cucurbita ficifolia, also referred to as pumpkin, is commonly used as a traditional remedy for diabetes in Asia, Africa and South America. The present study investigated the hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic effects of C. ficifolia fruit extract in rats with streptozotocin-induced experimental diabetes. Findings from this study demonstrate that C. ficifolia fruit extract has been shown to have, besides hypoglycemic properties, strong hypolipidemic action on diabetic hypertriglyceridemia and hypercholesterolemia as well. Therefore, consumption of C. ficifolia fruit as a therapeutic diet may be useful in the treatment of diabetes.
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