Antidiabetic effect of an aqueous extract of Pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) peels in normal and alloxan diabetic rats

Abstract

Hypoglycaemic drugs are either too expensive or have undesirable side effects including hematological, coma and disturbances of liver and kidney. Limiting of diabetes without any side effects is still a challenge to the medical system. This leads to exert effort to search for effective, safer and less cost antidiabetic plants. This investigation aims to evaluate the role of Punica granatum powder peels extract in its human therapeutic dose on beta cell numbers blood glucose and plasma insulin levels in normal and alloxan diabetic rats for 4-weeks of treatment. The treatment revealed that pomegranate aqueous extract significant decreased blood glucose and increased insulin levels in normal and diabetic treated rats. Pancreas showed increased number of beta cells in normal and treated diabetic rats. In conclusion pomegranate peel aqueous extract can reduce blood sugar through regeneration of ß cells.