PLANT CELL BIOTECHNOLOGY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY

Hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic effect of aqueous extract of Portulaca oleracae as mediated by down regulation of cortisol was investigated. A total of Ninety Wistar rats were involved in the study. Phase I of the study determined the LD₅₀ of the extract. This was achieved by giving different high doses 400 mg/kg, 800 mg/kg, 1600 mg/kg and 2000 mg/kg to four different groups of ten rats each and noting the dose that will produce 50% death. In phase two of the experiment, fifty adult Wistar rats were divided into five groups of ten rats each. The dose of aqueous extract of Portulaca administered in this study was based on the LD₅₀ studies. The effect of Portulaca oleracae in reducing blood sugar was studied over three weeks. Blood glucose was measured before induction, after induction and weekly for 2 weeks before animals was euthanized. Blood samples were collected for biochemical analysis and pancreases and kidneys of rats were harvested for histology. Data obtained were analyses using ANOVA. Results show that LD₅₀ concentration is higher than 800mg/kg of body weight, Portulaca oleracae extract showed hypoglycemic effects in type I and type II diabetic rats, significantly improved insulin levels in type I diabetic rats, down regulated cortisol and improved dyslipidemia in type I and type II diabetic rats. Aqueous extract of Portulaca olaracea has hypoglycemic capacity which may be mediated through its ability to down regulate cortisol level and correct dyslipidemia in both type I and type II diabetic rats and thus can be used in treating diabetes.