Effects of Flower Extract from Lotus (Nelumbo nucifera) on Hypoglycemic and Hypolipidemic in Streptozotocin-induced Diabetic Rats

This study was aimed to investigate an acute toxicity and effects of Nelumbo nucifera flower extract (NNFE) on hyperglycemic and hypolipidemic effects in streptozytocin-induced diabetic rats. In vivo acute toxicity study of NNFE was carried out by once oral administration various doses (0, 500, 1000, 1500 and 2000 mg/kg) of the extract to healthy male adult Wistar rats. Sign or symptom of toxicity and mortality were examined within 24 h and further period of 14 days. The studies of effects of the extract on hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic activities were performed by given the extract at a dose of 250 mg/g b.w. to STZ-induced diabetic rats orally and daily for 8 weeks. The results revealed that the extract did not produce any signs or symptoms of toxicity and the mortal rats were not found during the period of observation. Furthermore, the extract at a dose of 250 mg/kg significantly (p<0.05) decreased the levels of fasting blood glucose (FBG), total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), low density lipoprotein (LDL), and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) but increased high density lipoprotein (HDL) in the NNFEtreated diabetic rats compared to diabetic controls. However, the extract did not alter creatinine in diabetic treated rats compared to diabetic controls. These findings indicate that NNFE had non acute toxicity but possesses hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic activities. NNFE is one of alternative beneficial products in a treatment of diabetes.