The potential effects of psyllium seeds and its husks (plantago ovata)‎ on diabetic rats

Abstract EN

This study was carried out to investigate the potential effects of psyllium seeds and their husks on diabetic rats.

Thirty- six male albino rats (170 ± g) were divided into two main groups.

The first, negative control group (n = 6), fed on a basal diet, and the second group (diabetic rats, n = 30).

The second group was divided into 5 subgroups (6 rats each).

The first subgroup is positive control fed on a basal diet, the second and third subgroups fed on a basal diet supplemented with 3 and 5% psyllium seeds respectively, and the fourth and fifth subgroups fed on a basal diet supplemented with 3 and 5% psyllium husks respectively.

At the end of the experimental period (30 days), animals were sacrificed for blood collection.

Serum glucose, 1insulin, glycated hemoglobin (HbA1C), lipids profile, liver and kidney functions were determined.

Histological examination for the liver was done.

Feeding diabetic rats with a diet supplemented with psyllium seeds or husks significantly decreased the levels of blood glucose, triglyceride, very-low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and liver functions.

However, there was no significant difference (P ≤ 0.5) in insulin, HbA1C, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein, and kidney functions among positive control group and groups treated with 3 and 5 % of psyllium seeds and husks.

Supplementation rat diets with psyllium husks (5% ) were more effective than psyllium husks (3% ) and psyllium seeds (3 and 5% ) in improving the histological of the liver.

Increasing the doses could become more apparent.