Study of amygdalus lycioides root extract on blood glucose concentration in intact and diabetic rats

Almond as a traditional medicinal plant has been used as antidiabetic and hypoglycemic in some area of Iran. This study aimed to determine the effect of almond root extract and its effective compound 'amygdalin' on blood glucose level of diabetic rats. 48 NMRI male rats (180-250gr) divided to 2 groups; normal and diabetic, which included three saline, amygdalin (received i.p. injections of 100 mg/kg per day, for a weak) and extract (received oral gavages of 100 mg/kg almond root extract per day, for a weak) subgroups. Diabetes was induced by single injection of streptozotocine (60mg/kg, i.p.). Blood glucose of each sample was measured in 4, 8, 24 hour and one week after the last treatment, by using spectrophotometer, related kits and glucose oxidase method (absorption at a wavelength of 520 nm). Data were analyzed by using ANOVA, t-test and Dunnett. Treatment of diabetic rats with amygdalin or almond extract were decreased significantly blood glucose at 4 and 8 hours after prescription periods compare to saline group(P<0.0001). But there was no significant difference among these groups at 24 hour and one week timescales. Amygdalin and bitter almond extract can reduce blood glucose in diabetic rats.