Hypoglycemic and Antidiabetic Activity of Pomegranate (Punica granatum) Fruit Peel Extract in Alloxan-Induced Diabetic Rat Model

Abstract

Diabetes mellitus is a global health concern which needs safe, effective and economical solutions. This research aimed at the phytochemical composition and antidiabetic activity of ethanol extract and fractions of pomegranate (Punica granatum) fruit peel biowaste against Alloxan induced diabetic rats. The extractable obtained with ethanol extract was 55.82% while the bioactive phytochemicals identified were alkaloids, phytosterols, glycosides, tannins, phenolic compounds, flavonoids, carbohydrates and saponins. Male Wistar albinos were used to assess the antidiabetic activity in vivo. Alloxan (150 mg/kg body weight) was injected once into the peritoneum to induce diabetes. The PG II fraction showed a significant, dose-dependent decrease in fasting blood glucose after 28 days treatment, when administered orally (25 and 50 mg/kg body weight/day). The effects were similar to, or slightly better than, the standard drug, glibenclamide (5 mg/kg) which lowered blood glucose to 95.83 ± 1.85 mg/dl (67.70% reduction). Furthermore, the treatment with PG II fraction in a dose dependent manner significantly inhibited body weight loss and induced weight gain in diabetic control group. Acute toxicity studies revealed that the PG II fraction was safe up to 1000 mg/kg body weight without any toxicity or mortality. The findings are scientifically significant to validate the traditional use of pomegranate peel in Ayurveda and also reveals that, the PG II fraction is a promising biowaste material that could be used to develop novel phytotherapeutic agents and functional food for diabetes management with safety in future.