Hypoglycemic and Hypolipidemic Properties of Ethanolic Extract of Brassica oleracea in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rats

Diabetes mellitus has become the most prevalent metabolic disease worldwide. The edible leaves of Red cabbage (Brassica oleracea L.) is one of the most regularly consumed vegetables in Arabic countries. Thus, it was of interest to assess the hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic impacts of ethanolic (50 %) extract of the leaves of red cabbage on blood glucose, glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) and lipid profile in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. Diabetes was induced in male Wistar rats by injecting rats with 60 mg/Kg bodyweight of streptozotocin. Diabetic rats demonstrated a significant increase in serum glucose, glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) total cholesterol (TC), and triacylglycerol (TG). Daily oral supplementation (250 mg/Kg body weight) of extract of red cabbage leaves for 40 days to STZ-induced diabetic rats significantly ameliorated HbA1c (p < 0.01), TG (p < 0.01), serum glucose (p < 0.01), and TC (p < 0.01). By comparison, a standard anti-hyperglycemic drug, Glibenclamide, when administered at a dose of 10 mg/kg body weight, decreased TC, blood glucose, HbA1c, and TGs levels. It is concluded that the ethanolic extract of red cabbage decreased the blood levels of HbA1c, glucose, and lipids and it was more efficient than Glibenclamide in reducing blood glucose.