Ajwa seeds (Phoenix dactylifera L.) suspension exerted antidiabetic and antihyperlipidemic effects against streptozotocin-induced diabetes in rats by downregulating insulin expression in the pancreatic beta islets

Abstract

Objectives: This study investigated the antidiabetic and antihyperlipidemic effects of the powdered seeds of Ajwa Al-Madina in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetes in rats. Besides investigating the possible underlying mechanisms. Methods: Rats were assigned to one of six groups (n = 5) as follows: normal control, vehicle control, Ajwa seeds control, diabetic control, Diabetic + Metformin, and Diabetic + Ajwa seeds. Metformin and Ajwa seeds were injected into rats orally via oral gavage 6 days/week along 4 weeks period Results: Ajwa seeds decreased fasting serum glucose, increased fasting serum insulin and decreased fasting serum triglycerides cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein, and increased fasting serum high-density lipoprotein. Besides, it upregulated insulin protein immunoexpression in the beta cells of Langerhans islets. Ajwa seed also preserved the normal histological structure of the pancreatic beta cells tissue. Conclusion: Ajwa seeds produced significant hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic effects in diabetic rats mainly through enhancement of insulin secretion. The plant is a promising adjunctive therapy in diabetes mellitus treatment.