Effects of Punica granatum Flowers on Carbohydrate Metabolizing Enzymes, Lipid Peroxidation and Antioxidants Status in Streptozotocin Induced Diabetic Rats

The mechanistic pathway for the antidiabetic efficacy of ethanolic extract of Punica granatum flowers (PgEFet) has been investigated by measuring the status of blood glucose, plasma insulin, carbohydrate metabolizing enzymes, lipid peroxidation and antioxidants as biochemical end points in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats. Diabetes mellitus was induced by single intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (50mg/kg b.w) in albino Wistar rats. Oral administration of PgEFet (400mg/kg b.w) by gastric gavage to diabetic animals significantly reduced the level of blood glucose and increased the level of plasma insulin as well as reverted the disturbed activities of carbohydrate metabolizing enzymes to near normal pattern. Also, PgEFet exhibited potent anti-lipid peroxidative and antioxidant function in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats. The present study thus concludes that the antidiabetic efficacy of Punica granatum flowers in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats relies on its modulating effect on carbohydrate metabolizing enzymes as well as its anti-lipid peroxidative and antioxidant potential.