Hypoglycemic and Hypolipidemic Potential of a High Fiber Diet in Healthy versus Diabetic Rabbits

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate potential hypoglycaemic and hypolipidemic effects of Plantago ovata husk included in the diet, in healthy and diabetic rabbits. We also examined the effects of this fiber in other biochemical parameters. Two groups of 18 rabbits were used. The first group was fed with standard chow and the second with chow supplemented with Plantago ovata husk (3.5 mg/kg/day). On day 14 diabetes mellitus was induced by the intravenous administration of alloxan (80 mg/kg). After an oral glucose load (3 g), glucose, insulin, and other biochemical parameters were determined on day 14 (healthy rabbits) and on day 28 (diabetic rabbits). In healthy rabbits, fiber did not modify glucose or insulin levels but decreased significantly total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, atherogenic index, and glycosylated hemoglobin. In diabetic rabbits, fiber was more beneficial in mild diabetics than in severe diabetics with significant decreases in glucose levels and increases in insulin concentrations. In these animals fiber caused an important reduction in cholesterol, indicating a beneficial effect of Plantago ovata husk in diabetic rabbits. Although further studies in patients are necessary, we think that Plantago ovata husk offers interesting perspectives to be administered to patients with diabetes mellitus.

Evaluation of the Association Metformin:Plantago ovataHusk in Diabetic Rabbits

“…The control groups results showed that animals who received chow supplemented with fiber (group 4) exhibited higher concentrations of insulin than rabbits fed with standard chow (group 1). This was confirmed for Díez et al [ 20 ] that reported a significant increase in insulin concentrations for diabetic rabbits fed with Plantago ovata husk supplemented chow (3.5 mg/kg/day). This increase was more important in mild diabetic (50.7% in C max and 51.7% in AUC) than in severe diabetic rabbits (5.7% in C max and 7.4% in AUC).…”

“…In this way, Díez et al, who evaluated the effects of the inclusion of Plantago ovata husk (3.5 mg/kg/day) in diabetic rabbits chow, found significant decreases in glucose concentrations. These authors reported a reduction of 21.7% in C max and 26.3% in AUC of glucose concentrations in mild diabetic rabbits and 9.6% in C max and 11.2% in AUC in severe diabetic rabbits [ 20 ]. In diabetic patients that received psyllium (3.5 g during 6 weeks), Sierra et al [ 19 ] demonstrated that glucose absorption decreased significantly (12.2%) in the presence of fiber.…”

Renoprotective Effect of Plantago major Against Proteinuria and Apoptosis Induced by Adriamycin in Rat

“…In the present work, the renoprotective action of P. major extract was also observed by the time- dependent restoration of serum cholesterol in ADR injected rats. Recently, the hypolipidaemic properties of Plantago ovata husk and Plantago asiatica in diabetic rabbits and obese mice were reported [ 21 , 22 ]. The exact mechanism for this hypolipidemic action of P. major extract in our study is not clear, but it might be contributed to its protection against proteinuria and subsequent hyperalbuminemia, which could minimize the compensatory production of cholesterol by the liver.…”

Hypoglycemic Effect due to Insulin Stimulation with Plantago major in Wistar Rats

“…A study in the New England Journal of Medicine showed that people with diabetes who ate 50 grams of fiber a day (particularly soluble fiber) could control their blood glucose better than those who ate far less. However, the mechanisms between high fiber intake and improved glycemic management remain undefined [4].…”