Effects of Benincasa hispida Fractions on Hepatic Lipid Levels and Lipid Peroxidation in Streptozotocin Induced Diabetic Rats

ABSTRACT

The effects of fractions of ethanol extract of Benincasa hispida (wax gourd) on lipid levels and lipid peroxidation in streptozotocin (STZ) induced diabetic rats were examined. Sprague-Dawley rats were induced diabetes mellitus by STZ injection (45 mg/kg) into the tail vein and were divided into 5 groups normal, STZ-control, three experimental diabetic groups [chloroform (CHCl3) fraction group, butanol (BuOH) fraction group, and water fraction group]. Fractions of ethanol extract of Benincasa hispida were administered orally into the diabetic rats for 14 days. The liver glycogen levels of CHCl3 fraction group and the muscle glycogen levels of BuOH and water fraction groups were significantly higher than that of STZ-control group. Pancreas protein levels of BuOH and water fraction groups were significantly higher than that of STZ-control group. The liver cholesterol level of BuOH and water fraction groups were significantly lower when compared with the STZ-control group. The level of liver triglyceride in BuOH and water fraction groups were significantly higher than that of STZ-control group. Malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in liver of normal and diabetic groups were not significantly different. In the pancreas, the MDA levels of BuOH and water fraction group were significantly lower than that of STZ-control group. The results suggested that the supplementation of the BuOH and water fractions of Benincasa hispida extract could be beneficial for the diabetic complications and damages from the lipid peroxidation.