The Effect of Extract of Portulaca oleracea on Glucose Tolerance in Diabetic Wistar Rats

Naiho Alexander Obidike

Department of physiology, Delta State University Abraka, Delta State Nigeria.

ABSTRACT: The hypoglycemic effect of Portulaca oleracea have been documented. Its ability to enhance glucose tolerance in wistar rats made diabetic by chronic fructose feeding was studied. Eighteen female wistar rats were divided into three groups of six rats each. Group 1 (Normal Control) was fed with normal rat chow. Group 2 (Experimental Group I) was fed with fructose mixed with top feed (50% of fructose + 50% of top fed) to induce diabetes and exposed to low dose of Portulaca oleracea extract (200mg/kg). Group 3 (Experimental Group II) was fed with fructose mixed with top feed (50% of fructose + 50% of top fed) to induce diabetes and exposed to high dose of Portulaca oleracea extract (400mg/kg) for two weeks after which the rats were fasted overnight and glucose tolerance test was carried out on each rat the following morning. Student”s t test was used to analyze data. Results show that Portulaca oleracea has the ability to enhance glucose tolerance in diabetic rats. It could be considered therefore in post meal control of blood glucose in insulin resistant diabetic patients.

KEYWORDS: Diabetes; Portulaca oleracea and Hypoglycemia

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