Effect of Peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) on Fasting Blood Glucose and HbA1c in Alloxan Induced Diabetic Male Rats

Abstract

Background: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a heterogeneous group of metabolic disorders with micro and macrovascular complications which are the major causes of morbidity and mortality in diabetic patients. Peanut due to its anti-oxidant property can reduce blood glucose level and may reduce the risk of diabetes.

Objective: To observe the anti-diabetic effects of peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) in alloxaninduced diabetic male rats.

Method: This experimental study was carried out in the Department of Physiology, Sir Salimullah Medical College (SSMC), Dhaka in 2013. For this purpose, 15 wistar albino male rats, aged 90-120 days, weighing 160-200 g (initial body weight) were included in the experimental group (DG-A-P). Age and weight matched 20 wistar albino rats without peanut supplementation was taken as control and divided into (BC and DC-A) . All groups of animals received basal diet for 21 consecutive days. In addition to basal diet, animals of DC-A received alloxan intraperitoneally only on the first day of the study. Moreover, animals of DG-A-P also received peanut extract for 21 consecutive days. After 16 hours of fasting blood samples were collected from tail vein of all rats on day-1 and day- 3. After taking final body weight all the rats were sacrificed on 22^nd day. Their pancreas was removed and weighed. To observe glycemic control serum blood glucose and blood HbA_1c levels were measured by usual laboratory technique. ANOVA, independent t-test and paired t-test were used for statistical analysis.

Result: The % change of body weight was significantly (p<0.001) lower in DC-A in comparison to that of BC. The weight of pancreas was significantly lower in DC-A (p<0.001) and DG-A-P (p<0.05) when compared to that BC, whereas this level was significantly higher (p<0.001) in DG-A-P than that of DC-A. The mean fasting blood glucose level on day-3 was significantly (p<0.001) higher in DC-A and DG-A-P in comparison to that of BC. Then this level was significantly (p<0.001) lower in DG-A-P in comparison to that of DC-A on day-22. Moreover, significantly higher levels of HbA_1c were observed in DC-A (p<0.001) and DG-A-P (p<0.05) in comparison to those of BC. Again, significantly (p<0.001) lower level of blood HbA1c were observed in DG-A-P than those of DC-A.

Conclusion: From this study, it can be concluded that peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) has anti-diabetic effect by reducing fasting blood glucose, HbA_1c levels. This anti-diabetic effect may be due to its high MUFA content and anti-oxidant property.

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jbsp.v9i2.22796

Bangladesh Soc Physiol. 2014, December; 9(2): 48-53