Effect of Cucumis sativus and Prunus armeniaca Juices on Blood Glucose, Insulin and Electrolytes of Alloxan Induced Diabetic Male Sprague Dawley Rats

Aims: To investigate the effects of Cucumis sativus and Prunus armeniaca juices on blood glucose, insulin and electrolytes of alloxan-induced Diabetic male Sprague Dawley rats.

Study Design: An experimental study involving a total of eighty (80) male Sprague Dawley rats was used.

Place and Duration of Study: Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Rivers State University, Nigeria, between January 2021 and February 2022.

Methodology: 80 male Sprague Dawley rats were grouped into eight groups of ten rats each and housed in separate cages in an animal house. They were induced for diabetes with 150 mg/kg alloxan monohydrate intraperitoneally apart from group 1. They were then treated with various doses of apricot and cucumber juices. The juices were extracted by blending the pulp of each fruit using an electric blender and the juice sieved into a water bottle. Group 1 was the positive control, group 2 negative control, group 3 high dose apricot, group 4 low dose apricot, group 5 high dose cucumber, group 6 low dose cucumber, group 7 a combination of apricot and cucumber juices, group 8 metformin. The rats were treated for a period of 5 weeks and sacrificed. Blood glucose was estimated using the glucose oxidase method, electrolytes (Sodium, Potassium, Chloride) measured using serum electrolytes analyser, insulin was measured using Crystal Chem’s Rat insulin ELISA method. Phytochemical analysis was done using Cleg Anthrone method for carbohydrate, Boham and Kocipaiabyazari test for flavonoid and Harbone method for alkaloids. Statistical analysis was done using GraphPad prism and results expressed as mean ±SD (P < 0.05).

Results: The results showed that high dose cucumber significantly reduced (P = 0.03) blood glucose level (5.4 mmol/L) compared to positive control (10.5 mmol/L); apricot and cucumber juices improved insulin level significantly (2.03 µIU/ml) (P < 0.01) compared to positive control (0.77 µIU/ml); a combination of apricot and cucumber juices improved potassium level (3.73 mmol/L) significantly (P = 0.03) compared to control (3.4 mmol/L). High Dose Cucumber also significantly reduced blood glucose level better than high dose apricot (P < 0.01).

Conclusion: Cucumber juice therefore improved diabetic condition in diabetic male Sprague Dawley rats and a combination of apricot and cucumber juices boosted potassium level in diabetic rats.