The Comparative Effects of Aqueous Extract of Walnut (Juglans regia) Leaf and Glibenclamide on Serum Glucose Levels of Alloxan-Induced Diabetic Rats

Abstract

Background: The use of medicinal plants for lowering glucose level in diabetic patients is of clinical importance. The present study investigated the effect of a 30-day oral administration of aqueous extract of walnut leaf and glibenclamide on blood glucose level in normal and diabetic rats. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, 120 male rats (Sprague-Dawley, 150- 250 g) were divided into 12 equal groups as following: normal control group, normal group receiving glibenclamide (4 mg/kg), three normal groups receiving the extract doses of 50, 10, and 150 mg/kg, alloxan-diabetic control group (170 mg/kg), diabetic group receiving glibenclamide (4 mg/kg), and five diabetic groups receiving the extract in doses of 10, 50, 150, 300, and 500 mg/day by oral administration for 30 days. Glucose levels of the fasting rats were measured at 0, 7th, 14th, 21st, and 30th days using glucometer. Results: Administration of all doses and over 10 mg/kg significantly lowered the blood glucose level in normal rat and diabetic rats, compared with dose and duration-dependent control groups. This effect was higher for doses of 50 and 150 mg/kg in normal rats and for doses of 300 and 500 mg/kg in diabetic rats, similar to glibenclamide (4 mg/kg). Conclusion: Walnut leaf aqueous extract, depending on dose and duration, has dose and duration dependent declining effect on glucose level in normal rats and antihyperglycemic effect on diabetic rats, with a few side effects. This effect at some doses is greater or equal to that of glibenclamide.