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Effect of Fresh Juice of Khat (Catha Edulis) on Blood Glucose Levels of Normoglycemic and Streptozocin-induced Diabetic Rats
Journal
International Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research
ISSN
2320-5148
Date Issued
2018-02-01
Author(s)
Demeke A. Debecho
St. Paul's Hospital Millennium Medical College
Yekoye A. Kinfe
Addis Ababa University
Tesfaye T. Dugul
Addis Ababa University
Daniel S. Melka
University of Global Health Equity
DOI
10.13040/IJPSR.0975-8232.9(2).784-89
Abstract
Khat is chewed traditionally in Ethiopia, Somalia, Yemen and Kenya.
In Ethiopia, khat chewing is now becoming an everyday substance of abuse for the
general population. Knowledge about the effects of khat chewing on blood glucose
levels is very sparse. Therefore, the objective of this study was to investigate the
effect of fresh juice of khat (Catha edulis) on blood glucose levels of normal and
streptozocin-induced diabetic rats. Sixteen normal and 24 diabetic male wistar rats
were studied. Diabetic rats were divided into three groups: group I were treated with
4.5 ml/kg of fresh juice of Catha edulis (N=8). Group II were treated with
glibenclamide (5 mg/kg) (N=8), group III were treated with distilled water which
served as controls. Normal rats were divided into two groups: group I were given 4.5
ml/kg of fresh juice of Catha edulis (N=8) and group II were given distilled water as
a control. The rats in each group was orally administered with single dose of fresh
juice, glibenclamide or distilled water daily and blood glucose was measured at 0, 2
and 4 h on day 1, thereafter fasting blood glucose was measured in daily basis for
first two weeks and once weekly on every 5th day in the following four weeks. Oral
administration of a fresh juice of Catha edulis in diabetic and normal rats reduced
the fasting blood glucose level from 223.7 ± 27.6 and 115.4 ± 2.48 mg/dl at baseline
to 106 ± 18.2 and 79.6 ± 3.41 mg/dl, respectively at the end of study (p<0.05).
Administration of fresh juice of Catha edulis in diabetic and normal rats respectively
decreased blood glucose levels from 282.4 ± 45.5 and 95.2±6.2 mg/dl at baseline to
164.5 ± 31.6 (p <0.05) and 67.6 ± 6.8 mg/dl (p <0.05) at 4 h. It also decreased body
weight in diabetic and normal rats from 304.81 ± 14.46 and 214 ± 17.84 g at baseline
to 237.37 ± 12.28 (p <0.05) and 160.8 ± 15.49 g (p <0.05) at 4th wk., respectively. In
summary, oral administration of a fresh juice of Catha edulis exerts a hypoglycemic
effect and weight reduction in normal and streptozocin-induced diabetic rats. Further
studies to isolate different active components of Catha edulis and to elucidate the
exact mechanism of action are recommended.
In Ethiopia, khat chewing is now becoming an everyday substance of abuse for the
general population. Knowledge about the effects of khat chewing on blood glucose
levels is very sparse. Therefore, the objective of this study was to investigate the
effect of fresh juice of khat (Catha edulis) on blood glucose levels of normal and
streptozocin-induced diabetic rats. Sixteen normal and 24 diabetic male wistar rats
were studied. Diabetic rats were divided into three groups: group I were treated with
4.5 ml/kg of fresh juice of Catha edulis (N=8). Group II were treated with
glibenclamide (5 mg/kg) (N=8), group III were treated with distilled water which
served as controls. Normal rats were divided into two groups: group I were given 4.5
ml/kg of fresh juice of Catha edulis (N=8) and group II were given distilled water as
a control. The rats in each group was orally administered with single dose of fresh
juice, glibenclamide or distilled water daily and blood glucose was measured at 0, 2
and 4 h on day 1, thereafter fasting blood glucose was measured in daily basis for
first two weeks and once weekly on every 5th day in the following four weeks. Oral
administration of a fresh juice of Catha edulis in diabetic and normal rats reduced
the fasting blood glucose level from 223.7 ± 27.6 and 115.4 ± 2.48 mg/dl at baseline
to 106 ± 18.2 and 79.6 ± 3.41 mg/dl, respectively at the end of study (p<0.05).
Administration of fresh juice of Catha edulis in diabetic and normal rats respectively
decreased blood glucose levels from 282.4 ± 45.5 and 95.2±6.2 mg/dl at baseline to
164.5 ± 31.6 (p <0.05) and 67.6 ± 6.8 mg/dl (p <0.05) at 4 h. It also decreased body
weight in diabetic and normal rats from 304.81 ± 14.46 and 214 ± 17.84 g at baseline
to 237.37 ± 12.28 (p <0.05) and 160.8 ± 15.49 g (p <0.05) at 4th wk., respectively. In
summary, oral administration of a fresh juice of Catha edulis exerts a hypoglycemic
effect and weight reduction in normal and streptozocin-induced diabetic rats. Further
studies to isolate different active components of Catha edulis and to elucidate the
exact mechanism of action are recommended.
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