Effects of Fractions of Benincasa hispida on Antioxidative Status in Streptozotocin Induced Diabetic Rats

This study was designed to examine the effects of fractions of ethanol extract of Benincasa hispida (wax gourd) on hepatic antioxidative status in streptozotocin (STZ) induced diabetic rats. 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. Fractions of ethanol extract of Benincasa hispida were administered orally into the diabetic rats for 14 days. Hepatic glutathione peroxidase (GSH-px) activity (determined with H2O2 as substrate) was increased in the groups supplemented with chloroform (CHCl3) and butanol (BuOH) fractions. Glutathione peroxidase (GR) activity in the liver cytosol of H2O fraction groups was significantly lower than that of STZ-control group. The H2O fraction supplemented group has been shown the notably decrease in the hepatic superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity. The hepatic cytosol catalase (CAT) activity was significant decreased by the supplementation with BuOH fraction. It was found from the results that the supplementation of BuOH and H2O fractions of Benincasa hispida extract could be beneficial for the diabetic complications and damages from the lipid peroxidation.

Effects of Fractions of Benincasa hispida on Plasma Levels of Glucose and Lipid in Streptozotocin Induced Diabetic Rats

This study was designed to examine the effects of fractions of ethanol extract of Benincasa hispida (wax gourd) on plasma glucose and lipid levels in streptozotocin (STZ) induced diabolic rats. 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. fractions of ethanol extract of Benincasa hispida were administered orally into the diabetic rats for 14 days. The food intake and body weight were monitored and plasma levels of glucose, cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, triglyceride (TG) , free fatty acid (FFA) , and aminotransferase activity were analyzed. A significant lowering effects of plasma glucose levels were observed in the chloroform fraction and H2O fraction group compared to STZ-control group at 14 days. Administrations of each of the three fractions decreased plasma TG and FFA levels in diabetic rats. Activity of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) in CHCl3 fraction and H2O fraction groups and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) in $H_2O$ fraction group significantly lower than STZ-control group. The results show that CHCl3 fraction of Benincasa hispida could be effective to control the STZ-induced diabetic rats.

Effects of Benincasa Hispida Seed Supplementation on Glycogen Status and Lipid Peroxidation in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rats

This study was designed to examine the effects of diets containing different levels of seeds of Benincasa hispida(wax gourd) on glycogen, protein levels and lipid profiles as well as malondialdehyde (MDA) in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. Sprague-Dawley rats were induced diabetes mellitus by STZ injection (45 mg/kg) into the tail vein and were divided into four groups: normal, STZ-control, and two experimental groups. Normal and STZ-control groups were fed the AIN-93 diet and the two experimental groups were fed a modified diet containing 2.5% and 5.0% of wax gourd seed powder for four weeks. The liver, muscle, lung, kidney, and pancreas were excised after sacrifice, then the glycogen, protein, and lipid peroxidation products were measured. The rats fed 2.5% wax gourd seed group showed higher levels of liver glycogen compared with that of the STZ-control group. The levels of kidney protein were significantly increased in the 2.5% and 5.0% wax gourd seed groups. There were no significant difference cholesterol and liver triglyceride levels of the liver and MDA concentration in the liver, lung, and kidney among all four groups. These results show that wax gourd seed treatment of 2.5% and 5.0% doses did not exhibit profound anti-lipid peroxidation properities.

Effects of Benincasa hispida Seeds Intake on Blood Glucose and Lipid Levels in Streptozotocin Induced Diabetic Rats

This study was designed to examine the effects of diets containing different levels of seeds of Benincasa hispida (wax gourd) on plasma glucose, insulin levels and lipid profiles in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. Sprague-Dawley rats were induced diabetes mellitus by STZ injection (45 mg/kg) into the tail vein and were divide into 4 groups: normal, STZ-control, two experimental groups. Normal and STZ-control groups were fed an AIN-93 diet and 2 experimental groups were fed a modified diet containing 2.5% and 5.0% of wax gourd seed powder for 4 weeks. The weight gain and feed efficiency ratio in 5.0% seed groups were higher than in STZ-control group. A significant lowering effects of plasma glucose levels were observed in the wax gourd seed 2.5% and 5.0 groups. The plasma insulin level did not differ after treatment with wax gourd seed in experimental rats. The intake of 2.5% wax gourd seed did not result in significant change in plasma cholesterol levels compared to diabetic control group. The intake of 2.5% wax gourd seeds had normalized the increased levels of plasma triglyceride and free fatty acids after 4 weeks. In 5% wax gourd seed group, cholesterol, triglyceride and free fatty acid levels were elevated compared to 2.5% wax gourd seed group. The results of the present study indicate that 2.5% wax gourd seed group would be more effective to control the diabetes than 5% wax gourd seed group.