RESUMEN
Tamarindus indica is used as a traditional treatment for diabetes. To elucidate whether Tamarindus indica seed aqueous extract [TSE] ameliorates metabolic syndrome in hyperinsulinemic rats, we evaluated serum insulin, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate [DHEAS], triglyceride [TG], total cholesterol [TC], very low density lipoprotein [VLDL], low density lipoprotein [LDL], high density lipoprotein [HDL], and glucose levels in fructose-fed rats. Animals were divided into three groups; control [C] receiving tap water, fructose-fed [F] and TSE-treated fructose-fed rats [F-T] both receiving tap water supplemented with 10% [w/v] fructose. Water was prepared every day for a period of 8 weeks for all three groups. F-T rats were fed with TSE via gavage feeding at the dose of 20 mg/0.5 ml distilled water/100 g body weight per day. Fasting serum glucose levels of three groups were comparable. TSE treatment prevented the increase in fasting serum insulin, TG, TC, VLDL, and LDL in the F-T group [P<0.01] when comparing with the F group. Fructose feeding led to a decrease in fasting serum DHEAS, and HDL levels in the F group [P<0.01] compared with the control. TSE treatment prevented the decrease in fasting serum DHEAS, and HDL levels in the F-T group [P<0.01] while these results were not seen in control rats. It is indicated that the hyperinsulinemia in fructose-fed insulin resistant rats are associated with low levels of DHEAS, and HDL; and high levels of TC, VLDL, LDL, and TG. TSE supplementation probably ameliorates metabolic syndrome due to the improved insulin action