The Effect of Ethanolic Seed Extract of Citrullus lanatus (Watermelon) on Blood Glucose Level and Lipid Profile of Diabetic Wistar Rats

Aims: This study investigated the effect of ethanolic seed extract of Citrullus lanatus (ESECL) on blood glucose level and lipid profile in Alloxan-induced diabetic male Wistar rats.

Study Design and Methodology: 30 male adult wistar rats were grouped randomly into six experimental groups of five rats each. Diabetes was induced by intraperitoneal injection of 100 mg/kg of alloxan monohydrate, dissolved in normal saline, while the normal control group (group 1) was given the vehicle only. Three days after induction of diabetes, were treated further for four weeks with ESECL at doses of 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg for groups 4, 5, and 6 respectively. Animals in Group 3 were treated with Glibenclamide (2.5 mg/kg), while group 2 served as the negative control group.

Results: Administration of ESECL caused significant decrease in blood glucose levels in groups 4, 5 and 6 compared to rats of group 2 (p=0.00125). There was also significant decrease in the levels of cholesterol (TC) , triglycerides (TG), low density lipoprotein (LDL), with increase in high density lipoprotein (HDL) in Groups 4, 5 and 6, compared to Group 2 rats (p=0.00125). The results obtained from the rats of the group receiving extract were similar to that obtained from Groups 3. Conclusion: Thus, this study suggests that this extract could possibly normalize abnormalities in blood glucose levels and lipid profiles in diabetic conditions in a dose dependent manner.