​Treatment of Diabetes with a Medicinal Plant “Citrullus colocynthis” in Wistar Rats

Background: Citrullus colocynthis is a plant of the Cucurbitaceous family, native to arid soils. Coloquine is common in humid and moderately dry tropical regions in Algeria. The present study aims to evaluate the in vitro anti-free radical activity of C. colocynthis fruit extract on diabetic rats by the evaluation of the impact of these extracts on eight (08) blood parameters. Methods: Following a daily intraperitoneal injection of 1 ml of Alloxan to healthy Wistar Albinos rats (diabetes induction), intraperitoneal injection of 20 mg/kgp.c of cucurbitacin glycosides was carried out. The treatment effect was monitored by assessment of eight blood parameters. Result: Intraperitoneal injection of 20 mg/kg of cucurbitacins glycosides of C. colocynthis exhibited significant antidiabetic, anti-hyperureimia, anti-proteinemia, anti-hyperlipidemia and anti-hypercholesterolemia activity on Alloxan induced diabetic Wistar laboratory rats. These extracts also showed improvement in lipid, protein, creatinine and urea profile. In perspective more thorough investigations are required to unravel the process behind direct control of type II diabetes.