Evaluation of hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic effects of internal septum of walnut fruit in alloxan-induced diabetic rats

Abstract

Background: Todays, the popularity of herbal medicine is increasing worldwide. Due to importance the evaluation of medicinal herbs efficacy and safety, the present study was conducted to investigate the antidiabetic and hypolipidemic effects of internal septum of walnut fruit (ISWF) ethanolic extract in diabetic rats. Materials and methods: Alloxan diabetic rats treated orally with ethanolic extract of ISWF (0-400mg/kg) for 28 days. To evaluate its anti-diabetic activity, the animals fasting blood glucose were determined on the first, 14th and 29th days. Moreover, oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) was performed in diabetic rats at the last day of the study. After 24h of last administration, the blood samples were collected, and the Plasma lipids and liver enzymes levels were measured in fasting overnight rats. Results: The extract significantly decreased blood glucose (p<0.001) on 14th and 29th days. In addition, OGTT revealed that the hypoglycemic effect of the extract appeared at 90 minutes. Alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase levels significantly decreased in diabetic rats treated with the both doses (p<0.05). Both doses of the extract were able to decrease triglyceride significantly (p<0.05) in treated diabetic rats, while only the lower dose of the extract (200 mg/kg) attenuate the total cholesterol and low density lipoprotein (p<0.001). Conclusion: These finding support the notion that ISWF is able to reduce hyperglycemia and hyperlipidemia risk in diabetic rats.