COMPARISON OF THE HYPOGLYCEMIC EFFECT OF FLAX SEEDS AND METFORMIN IN STREPTOZOTOCIN INDUCED DIABETIC RATS

Swetha Venkatachalam, T. K. Ponnuswamy*, Bindu. G, Yamuna Devi. M. S, E. Amudhan Arvind

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES: Diabetes is characterized by hyperglycemia. Flax seeds are rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA’s). Diet rich in PUFAs have an important role in enhancing insulin sensitivity & decreasing blood glucose in diabetic rats. Prior studies have been done by adding flax seeds in diet. To ensure administration, the rats were administered flax seed powder suspension orally by a syringe in the present study. The objective was to compare the hypoglycemic effect of flax seeds with metformin in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats. METHODOLOGY: The study was initiated after approval from the Institutional animal ethics committee. Male albino-Wistar rats were divided into 5 groups with 5 animals in each group. Normal control, diabetic control,10% flax seed powder, 20% flax seed powder & metformin . Streptozotocin 30mg/kg was administered by intraperitoneal route to induce diabetes. Baseline fasting blood glucose and body weight was assessed at the commencement of the study and subsequently after 2, 4 and 14 days. RESULTS: Statistical analysis was done using one way ANOVA. 10% and 20 % flax seeds reduced fasting blood sugar significantly (p< 0.05) when compared to metformin. Among flax seeds, 20% was better in reducing blood sugar significantly (p=0.001). In the 20% flax seed group there was more significant reduction in body weight (p=0.00). CONCLUSION: Based on the results, 20% flax seeds reduce blood sugar significantly compared with metformin and can be used as a new option in glycemic control in diabetics as an alternative to oral hypoglycemic drugs.

Keywords: Diabetic rats, streptozotocin, metformin, flax seeds, fasting blood sugar.