Effect of citrullus colocynthis aqueous seed extract on beta cell regeneration and intra-islet vasculature in alloxan induced diabetic male albino rats

Objective: to observe the effect of citrullus colocynthis on beta cell regeneration and intra-islet vasculature. methods: this experimental study was conducted at the university of health sciences,lahore,pakistan,from february 2013 to january 2014. it comprised male wistar rats weighing 100-150gand aged 6-8 weeks. the animals were divided into 6 groups. group a1 served as control. diabetes was induced in groups a2,b2 and c2 using single intravenous injection of 50mg/kg of alloxan. animals having fasting blood glucose>250mg/dl were considered diabetic. diabetic rats in groups b2 and c2 and their controls b1 and c1 were given 1ml/kg and 2ml/kg of citrullus colocynthis aqueous seed extract orally per day for 14 days. animals were sacrifised on day 15. results: of the 48 rats,there were 8(16.7%) in each group. citrullus colocynthis has stabilized the body weight of rats and difference was statistically significant on days 7(p<0.013) and 14(p<0.001). citrullus colocynthis significantly reduced (p<0.001) the fasting blood sugar levels in a dose- and time-dependent manner. it increased the islet diameter (p<0.001) and beta cell count (p<0.001). the number of intra-islet capillaries was increased in group c2,but the difference was not statistically significant (p>0.05). conclusion: citrullus colocynthis aqueous seed extract stabilised animal body weight and ameliorated hyperglycaemia in a dose- and time-dependent manner which was attributable to regenerative effect on beta cells and intra-islet vasculature. © 2017,pakistan medical association. all rights reserved.