The Effect of Punica Granatum Flower Extract, on Blood Glucose, Insulin, Insulin Tolerance, Lipid Profile and Blood Pressure in High Sucrose Diet Rats

Diabetes mellitus is a common metabolic disease in the world. The extract of Punica granatum flower (PGF) has been used in traditional medicine to decrease blood glucose and lipid. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of this plant in high sucrose diet rats. Subjects and In this experimental study، 30 adult female Wistar rats weighing 150-170 (g) were used. After induced insulin resistance by sucrose 32% in drinking water for 6 weeks، the animals were randomly divided into 5 groups: sucrose induced، aqueous (400mg/kg) and hydro-alcoholic (300 and 500 mg/kg) extract of PGF. Control (normal) group was consumed only drinking water (n=6). 48 hours after the last interaperitonealinjection (IP)، blood was collected from heart، serum was separated and blood glucose، insulin، fasting insulin resistance index (FIRI)، lipid profiles، hepatic enzymes and blood pressure were determined. Blood pressure، insulin، glucose and FIRI in sucrose- induced group treated with extracts of PGF were significantly increased in comparison with the control group. Extracts of PGF decreased the lipid profile significantly; however،some hepatic enzymes were increased. The results of this study Showed that PGF extracts can increase blood pressure، glucose، insulin and FIRI in comparison with sucrose group. Thus، the PGF animals displayed characteristics typical of insulin resistance and it is suggested that the investigator could do more research on this plant.