The International Institute for Science, Technology and Education (IISTE)
Abstract
Diabetes mellitus is among the major global public health problems and its prevalence is currently increasing at an alarming rate. The research was carried out to evaluate the effect of aqueous fruit extract of Cucumis sativus on blood glucose, total protein, total bilirubin, cholesterol, triglycerides, low density lipoprotein (LDL), high density lipoprotein (HDL), urea, creatinine levels as well as aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline Phosphatase (ALP) and electrolytes (Na+, Cl- and HCO3-) levels on normal and streptozotocin induced-diabetic rat. The aqueous fruit extract was administered orally at a dose of 400mg/kg body weight to both normal and streptozotocin induced-diabetic rat. Twenty adult male rats were divided into four groups of five rats each, two groups were made diabetic and the other two groups were non-diabetic. One of the diabetic groups were administered with the aqueous fruit extract and the second served as diabetic control. The streptozotocin was administered intraperitoneal at a dose of 55mg/kg per body weight. The administration of the aqueous fruit extract lasted for 28 days. Effect of aqueous fruit extract on blood glucose, total protein, total bilirubin, cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL, HDL, urea, creatinine, and electrolytes (Na+, Cl- and HCO3-) levels were analysed. The toxic effect of the aqueous fruit extract was determined using biochemical enzymes markers. The photochemical screening of the aqueous fruit extract showed the presences of Alkaloids, Balsam, Cyanogenic glycosides, Flavonoids, Saponins, Resins and Carbohydrate. Administration with the fruit extract showed significant (P<0.05) reduction on the serum blood glucose level and other biochemical parameters analyzed. The extract possesses no toxic effect as indicated by lowered AST and ALP levels and may be used for the management of diabetes mellitus. Keywords: Cucumis sativus, Phytochemicals, Diabetic Mellitus, Liver enzymes, hypoglycemic activity. DOI: 10.7176/JNSR12-2-04 Publication date: January 31st 202
