The Effects of Methanolic Extract of Prosopis Farcta Seed on Blood Glucose in Streptozocin Induced Diabetic Rats

Background: Previous studies have shown the beneficial effects of Prosopis species in the treatment of diabetes in traditional medicine. This study was performed to evaluate the antihyperglycemic effects of Prosopis farcta (P.farcta) in streptozocin- induced diabetic rats. Methods: Diabetes was induced by intraperitoneal injection of streptozocin (55mg/kg). Male Wistar rats were treated with either P. farcta (100, 150, and 300 mg/kg.) or glibenclamide (10mg/kg) orally once a day for a period of 28 days. Control rats received saline. Changes in body weight and blood glucose were measured at the end of each week for 4 weeks. Results: The results of this study showed a significant increase in blood glucose, and decrease of body weight in streptozocin-induced diabetic rats. P. farcta administration for 28 days in streptozocin-induced diabetic rats suppressed the weight reduction significantly in a dose dependent manner (P<0.001). Also, P. farcta, like glibenclamide, showed significant antihyperglycemic effects and reversed the above parameters significantly in a dose dependent manner when compared to diabetic control rats (P<0.001, P<0.05, respectively). Conclusions: The results of the present study showed that P. farcta possesses antidiabetic activity in hyperglycemic rat models. The underlying mechanism(s) has not been known yet and needs further investigation.