Antidiabetic and Antioxidant Impacts of Desert Date (Balanites aegyptiaca) and Parsley (Petroselinum sativum) Aqueous Extracts: Lessons from Experimental Rats

Abstract

Medicinal plants are effective in controlling plasma glucose level with minimal side effects and are commonly used in developing countries as an alternative therapy for the treatment of type 1 diabetes mellitus. The aim of this study is to evaluate the potential antidiabetic and antioxidant impacts of Balanites aegyptiaca and Petroselinum sativum extracts on streptozotocin-induced diabetic and normal rats. The influences of these extracts on body weight, plasma glucose, insulin, total antioxidant capacity (TAC), malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, and liver-pyruvate kinase (L-PK) levels were assessed. Furthermore, the weight and histomorphological changes of the pancreas were studied in the different experimental groups. The herbal preparations significantly reduced the mean plasma glucose and MDA levels and significantly increased the mean plasma insulin, L-PK, and TAC levels in the treated diabetic groups compared to the diabetic control group. An obvious increase in the weight of the pancreas and the size of the islets of Langerhans and improvement in the histoarchitecture were evident in the treated groups compared to untreated ones. In conclusion, the present study provides a scientific evidence for the traditional use of these extracts as antidiabetic and antioxidant agents in type 1 diabetes mellitus.

Phytochemicals and Biological Activity of Desert Date (Balanites aegyptiaca (L.) Delile)

“…Methanol extract showed the highest free radical scavenging activity at IC 50 = 40 µg/mL and IC 50 = 125.85 µg/mL in DPPH and ABTS assays, respectively. The antioxidant properties of aqueous fruit extracts were assessed in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats [ 50 ]. Oral administration produced a significant ( p < 0.01) increase in mean plasma total antioxidant levels and a significant ( p < 0.01) decrease in malondialdehyde levels.…”

Anthropogenic Pressure on Tree Species Diversity, Composition, and Growth of Balanites aegyptiaca in Dinder Biosphere Reserve, Sudan

“…Its leaves are edible and its fruits are a source of income for local people around the protected areas and forest reserves [ 32 , 33 , 34 ]. Extracts from the roots, leaves, bark, and wood of the species have been used as an antioxidant, antifungal, and anticancer products [ 35 , 36 , 37 , 38 ]. The fruits of B. aegyptiaca are characterized by a high content of oil suitable for biodiesel production [ 39 ].…”

&lt;i&gt;In Vivo&lt;/i&gt; Antioxidant and Anti-inflammatory Effects of &lt;i&gt;Balanites aegyptiaca&lt;/i&gt; (L) Del (Balanitaceae) Galls and Leaves

“…The antioxidant and the anti-inflammatory properties of B. aegyptiaca extracts have been already study in vivo. The fruits extract exhibited a good total antioxidant capacity [18]. The methanol and butanol extracts and isolated saponins from bark [2] as well as the ethanolic and petroleum ether extracts of dried aerial parts [10] reduced significantly the rat paw edema induced by carrageenan.…”