Introduction: In current research work, effects of NF on plasma lipid and glucose levels have been assessed in diabetic rats.
Method: In this experiment study, 60 male rats were used. All rats randomly divided into six groups, consisting of one intact non-diabetic group, and remaining 5 groups were injected subcutaneously of 55 mg/kg of streptozotocin to make them experimentally diabetic. Three groups of diabetic animals were gavaged of low (25 mg/kg), and high (75 mg/kg) doses of aqueous extract of NF in a volume of 1.5 ml for short period (4 weeks), long period (8-weeks) respectively. One group of diabetic animals was given 2-4 U of NPH insulin (IP).The last remaining group of five diabetics was given nothing at the end of each experiment. In all groups, blood glucose and lipid levels were measured.
Results: There was significant reduction of plasma glucose in treatment groups compared to diabetic groups. The greatest decrease (96%) was observed by the high dose NF extract, which this reduced glucose level was significant compared to the reduced plasma glucose due to insulin injection (P< 0.001). There wasn't any change in diabetic animals' total cholesterol, and triglyceride levels of plasma. Both low and high doses of extracts increased LDL- cholesterol levels in diabetic animals (P<0.001). In diabetic animals, plasma HDL- cholesterol levels (33±2.2) decreased by long term dose of extract.
Conclusion: Both doses decreased plasma glucose in diabetic animal, whereas, it have not effect on plasma lipids or have negative effect, therefore this research suggested that NF extract is useful for control of blood glucose.