Potential Effect of Mulberry and Fig Leaves on Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rats

Document Type : Original research articles

Authors

Department of Nutrition and Food Sciences, Faculty of Home Economics, Helwan University, Cairo, Egypt

Abstract

Mulberry and fig leave used as medicinal plants because they contain highly active compounds. Decoctions of plant leaves are used as a folk medicine for the treatment of diabetes. The effects of different concentrations of 2 and 4% of white mulberry (Morus alba) and fig (Ficus carica) leaves, as well as their mixture as powder, on glucose levels in diabetic rats, were studied. A total of 48 rats were used in this experiment, which was divided into eight groups of six rats each. Streptozotocin (STZ) was used to induce rat’s diabetic. Biochemical tests were performed to evaluate glucose levels, cholesterol, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (VLDL-c), as well as liver and kidney functions. Results showed that rats fed on 4 % mixture powder recorded the lowest glucose level with significant differences being136.50 mg/dl. The lower liver functions (ALP, AST, and ALT) and kidney functions (urea, uric acid, and creatinine) of diabetic groups were recorded for the group fed on 4 percent mixture powder, but the highest value was recorded for the group fed on 2 percent fig leaves powder with a significant difference, while the lowest triglyceride and cholesterol values were recorded for the group fed on 4 percent mixture powder. The group fed on 4 percent combination leaves powder had the highest HDL-c of all the treated groups. The rats fed on 2% fig leaves powder had the highest LDL-c and VLDL-c of the treatment group. In a conclusion, all biochemical analyses, particularly glucose levels, improve with a 4% mixture of leaves powder.

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