Tropical Journal of Pharmaceutical Research

Original Research Article | OPEN ACCESS

Antidiabetic potential of Balanites aegyptiaca kernel, flesh and their combination against streptozotocin-induced hyperglycemia in male rats

Saed AM Al-Thobaiti , Isam M Abu Zeid

Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Sciences, King Abdulaziz University, PO Box 139109, Jeddah 21323, Saudi Arabia;

For correspondence:- Saed Al-Thobaiti Email: saiad1402@gmail.com Tel:+966503052017

Accepted: 26 January 2019 Published: 28 February 2019

Citation: Al-Thobaiti SA, Abu Zeid IM. Antidiabetic potential of Balanites aegyptiaca kernel, flesh and their combination against streptozotocin-induced hyperglycemia in male rats. Trop J Pharm Res 2019; 18(2):263-271 doi: 10.4314/tjpr.v18i2.7

© 2019 The authors.
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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 humans

Keywords: Balanites aegyptiaca, Diabetes, Histopathology, Insulin, Pancreas