Antidiabetic Effect of Germinated Lens culinaris Medik Seed Extract in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Mice

BACKGROUND: Lens culinaris Medik seed has been used in traditional practices to treat various ailments, including diabetes mellitus, in Ethiopia. Previous phytochemical screening studies indicated that germination of the seed of L. culinaris contains more bioactive constituents compared to raw seeds. The aim of this study was to investigate the antidiabetic activity of an aqueous methanol extract of germinated L. culinaris seed extract in streptozotocin (Stz)-induced diabetic mice. METHODS: The antidiabetic effect of germinated L. culinaris seed extract was determined using Stz-induced diabetic mice. An 80% aqueous methanol extract of germinated L. culinaris seed at doses of 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg was used in the treatment group. Glibenclamid (5 mg/kg) and dimethyl sulfoxide 2% were used as positive and negative controls, respectively. The test extract and controls were given daily for 3 weeks. Blood-glucose levels and body-weight changes were measured weekly. Lipid-profile levels were measured at the end of each experiment. Oral glucose-tolerance tests were performed to evaluate the postprandial effect of the extract. RESULTS: The aqueous methanol extract of germinated L. culinaris significantly reduced blood-glucose levels and increased body weight (p<0.05). The extract also improved serum-lipid profiles in diabetic mice after 21 days (p<0.05). The seed extract also resulted in significant reductions in blood-glucose levels after an oral glucose load in normal mice (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: An aqueous methanol extract of germinated L. culinaris seed has both antidiabetic and antihyperlipidemic effects.