Hypoglycemic and Hypolipidemic Effects of Watermelon (Citrullus Vulgaris) Seed Kernels on Male Albino Rats

Reetapa Biswas*¹, Alok Chattopadhyay² and Santa Datta De³

¹Department of Home Science, Food and Nutrition Division, University of Calcutta, India
²Department of Physiology, Harimohan Ghosh College, University of Calcutta, India
³Department of Home Science, Food and Nutrition Division, University of Calcutta, India.

Corresponding Author Email: biswasreetapa@gmail.com

The current investigation was planned to assess the hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic efficiency of watermelon seeds on male albino rats. Eight male albino rats weighing between 105-150g were randomly selected for the present experiment and were placed into two equal groups (n=4) designated as control and treated group. The control group received normal stock diet (20% protein, 5 % fat, 60 % carbohydrate). The treated group received a modified diet (90g Stock diet excluding groundnut oil + 9g watermelon seed kernel + 1g sugar). Percentages of protein, fat and carbohydrate in the modified diet were kept same as that of the stock diet. All animals were given water ad libitum. Rats were weighed at weekly intervals. After 28 days rats were anesthetized using chloroform anesthesia and blood samples were collected via cardiac puncture and serum was obtained for evaluation of some biochemical parameters. Result showed that serum glucose, triglyceride (TG) and very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) of the treated group were decreased significantly (p < 0.01, p < 0.05 and p < 0.05 respectively) compared to that of the control group. Liver glycogen, serum total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein (LDL) and AI (Atherogenic Index) were decreased (non-significant) whereas high density lipoprotein (HDL) increased (non-significant) in the treated group.

Citrullus vulgaris seed kernels; Liver glycogen; Rats; Serum glucose; Serum lipids

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