Therapeutic Applications of Coconut Water Mitigates Diabetes Mellitus in Oryctolagus cuniculus (Rabbit)

Abstract

ARTICLE INFO abstract Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a pandemic disease and causes significant contribution to human mortality across the globe. Since, natural products have been proved to be safe and effective remedies in human healthcare practice; therefore, the present study has investigated the anti-diabetic potential of coconut water against the diabetic rabbits. Rabbits were intoxicated with streptozotocin (80 mg/kg body weight) and diabetes mellitus was induced. To counteract initial hypoglycemia, 10% of glucose was administrated in drinking water for 24 hours. One group was kept as negative control, another was diabetic and un-medicated control, two groups were fed with coconut water dose 2.2g/kg and 4.1g/kg, and last group was medicated with Metformin. Several analyses such as body weight, physical activities, urination, and different biochemical properties and characterization of blood samples were performed. The intoxicated rabbits were characterized by weight loss, frequent urination, sluggish physical activities, low level of high-density lipoprotein, and elevated levels of blood glucose, cholesterol, and triglyceride. Upon administration of coconut water at a dose rate of 2.2 g/kg and 4.1 g/kg for two weeks, all the parameters became normal and/or near to normal when compared to positive control. Therefore, we recommend that coconut water can be developed as a nutraceutical or functional food for the management of diabetes and its associated complications.