Hypoglycaemic Effects of Dietary Intake of Ripe and Unripe Lycopersicon esculentum (Tomatoes) on Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetes Mellitus in Rats

Abstract

Ripe and unripe tomatoes have been implicated in prevention of chronic diseases such as cancer probably due to their antioxidant, antibiotic, antifungal and anti-inflammatory properties. Problem statement: This study was designed to investigate whether ripe and unripe tomatoes will have hypoglycaemic effect in a chronic disease such as diabetes mellitus that has been characterized with hyperglycaemia. Approach: Twenty albino Wistar rats were divided into 4 groups (2 control and 2 test groups) of 5 rats each. The normal and diabetic control groups were given citrate buffer (intraperitoneally) and normal rat chow and 65 mg kg −1 streptozotocin (intraperitoneally) and normal rat chow respectively. The test groups were given 65 mg kg −1 streptozotocin via intraperitoneal route and either a mixture of ripe or unripe tomato and normal rat chow. In all groups, the blood samples were obtained at the tail vein of the animals and the fasting blood glucose level were monitored and determined on the 1st, 3rd and 14th day of consumption of different feed combinations. Results: There was significant difference in blood glucose level in animals fed on ripe and unripe Lycopersicon esculentum (tomato) compared to the normal and diabetic control groups on the 3rd and 14th day without significant difference on the 1st day. Conclusion: Both high-lycopene ripe tomato and high-tomatine unripe tomato have hypoglycaemic effect in diabetic mellitus at short period of dietary intake therefore this suggest that consumers may benefit by not only eating high-lycopene ripe tomatoes, but also hightomatine unripe tomatoes.

Food Glycoalkaloids: Distribution, Structure, Cytotoxicity, Extraction, and Biological Activity

“…The latter was accompanied by a decrease in glycogen levels in the livers [14]. Another study reported that feeding unripe tomato to the rats significantly reduced blood glucose level compared to the ripe tomatoes, probably due to the presence of large of amount of glycoalkaloids such as tomatine, dehydrotomatine, and tomatidine [139]. On the other hand, it has been reported that a green tomatorich diet can contribute to cholesterol reduction due to the formation of a complex between α-tomatine and cholesterol [51].…”

Influence of olive leaves extract on hepatorenal injury in streptozotocin diabetic rats

“…Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a syndrome characterized by chronic hyperglycemia and disturbances of carbohydrate, lipid and protein metabolism associated with absolute or relative deficiency in insulin secretion and/or action (Akinnuga et al, 2010). Concern regarding this chronic disease is focused on serious DM-related complications which can affect multiple vital organ systems, thereby leading to more severe and irreversible pathological conditions such as nephropathy, retinopathy, vasculopathy, neuropathy and cardiovascular diseases, as well as hepatopathy (Reid, 2006).…”

HYPOGLYCEMIC, HEPATO-RENAL AND ANTIOXIDANT POTENTIAL EFFECTS OF <i>CHAMOMILE</i> RECUTITA FLOWERS ETHANOLIC EXTRACT IN STREPTOZOTOCIN-DIABETIC RATS

“…Diabetes mellitus is a syndrome characterized by chronic hyperglycaemia and disturbances of carbohydrate, fat and protein metabolism associated with absolute or relative deficiency in insulin secretion and/or action (Akinnuga et al, 2010). Chronic elevation of blood glucose eventually leads to long-term complications of diabetes, that leads to various tissue and organs damage that considered major causes of morbidity and mortality in human populations (Lyra et al, 2006).…”