Effects of Hydro-Alcoholic Leaf Extract of Citrullus colocynthis on Biochemical Factors and Histopathological Changes in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rats

Diabetes mellitus is the most common leading cause of cardiovascular-related mortality and morbidity worldwide. Citrullus colocynthis (C. colocynthis) belongs to the Cucurbitaceae family and has been used as an anti-diabetic treatment in traditional medicine.
The aim of this study was to assess the effects of hydro-alcoholic leaf extract of C. colocynthis on the serum biochemical factors and histopathological changes in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.
The current experimental study was performed on 24 male rats, which became diabetic with 60 mg/kg body weight intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (STZ). The animals were divided into four groups: untreated healthy controls, healthy controls treated with the extract, untreated diabetic and diabetic treated with extract, respectively. The animals were treated with 75 mg/kg body weight orally hydro-alcoholic leaf extract of C. colocynthis for 3 weeks.
The results indicated that fasting blood sugar (FBS), triglycerides (TG), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), total cholesterol, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, creatinine, urea, and bilirubin (total and conjugated) in diabetic rats treated with the extract significantly decreased compared to the other groups. Conversely, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and serum albumin were significantly increased in diabetic rats treated with extract. Histopathological findings showed STZ-induced diabetic complications in the pancreas, kidney and liver were improved following treatment with hydro-alcoholic leaf extract of C. colocynthis.
The administration of hydro-alcoholic leaf extract of C. colocynthis had a significant anti-hyperglycemic and anti hyperlipidemic effect and improved diabetic complications. In addition, Citrullus C. leaf extract may have a protective effect on the liver, kidneys, and pancreas.