Seagrass in the Control of Hyperglycemic and Hyperlipidemic States of Streptozotocin Induced Diabetic Rats

Background: The present study intended to evaluate the beneficial effects of the seagrass Halophila beccarii, against induced diabetes mellitus in rat models. Halophila beccarii is a type of Seagrass abundant in Pulicat Lake of Andhra Pradesh, India. Objective: Evaluating the anti-hyperglycemic and anti-hyperlipidemic properties of seagrass extract in comparison with standards. Materials and Methods: STZ induced diabetic rat models were adopted to analyze the effect of long-term treatment with seagrass extract on blood glucose, HbA1c and serum lipids. Results: The methanolic extract of seagrass demonstrated a significant drop of blood glucose levels (52%), in diabetic rats, after 6 h of supplementation. After 40 days of treatment with 500 mg/day of seagrass extract, STZ diabetic rats exhibited tremendous decrease in fasting blood glucose with significant improvement in glycemic control as evidenced by controlled levels of HbA1c. Lower levels of triglycerides, total cholesterol, LDL and VLDL cholesterols and higher levels of HDL cholesterol in STZ-induced diabetic rats provided an evidence for significant anti hyperlipidemic property of seagrass extract. Conclusion: Phytochemicals of seagrass like phenols, flavonoids and bioactive lipids contribute to the anti-hyperglycemic and anti-hyperlipidemic activities and Halophila beccarii extract serves as a natural supplement in the management of diabetes.