Ahlam Albokai

Sanaa University, Yemen

Effect of methanolic extract of Phoenix dactylifera L. seeds on blood glucose levels of normoglycemic and dexamethasone induced diabetic rabbits

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Biography

Scientific researcher in pharmacology and toxicology, Pharmacognosy, Pharmacy Drug Delivery Yemen, Sana'a. Master's degree in pharmacology and toxicology, University of Science and Technology, Yemen. Journal reviewer in Phytomedicin plus. Holds a patent in pharmaceutical research at the Patent Office, Yemen, Sana'a

Abstract

Background: The Phoenix dactylifera L. (Date Palm) is a plant have nutritional and therapeutic properties, The Plants are the source of many pharmaceutical compounds, so herbal treatments are attractive. In folk medicine, the date palm seeds are commonly used to treat diabetes.

Purpose: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the anti-diabetic potential of Phoenix dactylifera L. seed in dexamethasone -induced diabetic rabbits.

Study design: The study design involved preparation of a methanol Phoenix dactylifera L. seed extract; investigation of its effect on blood glucose levels in dexamethasone induced diabetic male rabbits and phytochemical study of the extract to identify further compounds with anti-diabetic effect.

Method: Diabetes was induced in male rabbits with a single intraperitoneal injection of 150 mg/kg dexamethasone. Normal and diabetic animals were treated with Phoenix dactylifera L. seed (PDS) methanol extract for a period of 30 days.

Results: The methanolic extract of Phoenix dactylifera L. (PDS) has been shown to have a significant anti-diabetic effect (P ? 0.05). This effect may be due to the presence of flavonoids, saponins and fatty acids in the extract, which could function through different mechanisms. Furthermore, pancreas tissue regeneration was histologically clean. However, further research is needed to isolate and elucidate the bioactive compound(s) responsible for its anti-diabetic properties, as well as its molecular mechanism of action.

Conclusion: The result of this study suggests the anti-diabetic effect of Phoenix dactylifera L. seed extract, which might be due to its chemical compounds which have hypoglycemic properties.