INFLUENCE OF GRAPE SEED EXTRACT AND ZINCOVIT TABLETS (NUTRITIONAL FOOD SUPPLEMENT) ON GLUCOSE LEVEL IN NORMAL AND STREPTOZOCIN INDUCED DIABETIC RATS

Objective: To evaluate the influence of combination of Grape seed extract and Zincovit tablets (nutritional food supplement) on blood glucose level in normal and streptozocin induced diabetic rats. Method: A total of 48 adult male Wistar rats (24 normal rats, 24 diabetic surviving rats) were divided into 8 groups of 6 rats each. Experimental hyperglycemia was produced in rats by single dose of Streptozocin (35 mg/kg; i.p). Assessment of glucose in blood and urine of rats was used as marker of hyperglycemia. Results: Oral administration of combination of Grape seed extract and Zincovit tablets (nutritional food supplement) for 45 days significantly reduced the levels of blood glucose in a dose dependent manner among diabetic treated rats when compared to diabetic control rats (P<0.0001, at 40 mg/kg, 80 mg/kg and 160 mg/kg) whereas it had significantly increased the blood glucose level in normal treated rats in comparison with normal control rats (P=0.011, 0.003 and 0.029 at 40 mg/kg, 80 mg/kg and 160 mg/kg respectively). There was significant increase in the weight of isolated dry liver among diabetic treatment group when compared to diabetic control in a dose dependent manner. There was no significant body weight change in diabetic and normal rats as compared to diabetic control and normal control rats respectively. Conclusion: The hypoglycemic effect of combination of Grape seed extract and Zincovit tablets may be attributed to enhanced antioxidant potential and protection against tissue lipid peroxidation and protein oxidation.