Abstract
Objectives This study investigated the antidiabetic and antihyperlipidemic effects of the powdered seeds of Ajwa Al-Madina in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetes in rats. Besides investigating the possible underlying mechanisms.
Methods Rats were assigned to one of six groups (n = 5) as follows: normal control, vehicle control, Ajwa seeds control, diabetic control, Diabetic + Metformin, and Diabetic + Ajwa seeds. Metformin and Ajwa seeds were injected into rats orally via oral gavage 6 days/week along 4 weeks period.
Results Ajwa seeds decreased fasting serum glucose, increased fasting serum insulin and decreased fasting serum triglycerides cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein, and increased fasting serum high-density lipoprotein. Besides, it upregulated insulin protein immunoexpression in the beta cells of Langerhans islets. Ajwa seed also preserved the normal histological structure of the pancreatic beta cells tissue.
Conclusion Ajwa seeds produced significant hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic effects in diabetic rats mainly through enhancement of insulin secretion. The plant is a promising adjunctive therapy in diabetes mellitus treatment.