Pak. J. Pharm. Sci., Vol.30, No.5, September 2017, pp.1797-1802 1797 REPORT Antidiabetic effects of native date fruit Aseel (Phoenix dactylifera L.) in normal and hyperglycemic rats Shadab Ahmed 1 , Rafeeq Alam Khan 1* , Subia Jamil 2 and Syeda Afroz 1 1 Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Karachi 2 Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Jinnah University for women, Karachi, Pakistan Abstract: Change in dietary pattern, sedentary life style and increasing stresses are contributing factors for high prevalence of diabetes mellitus. Diabetic complications often lead to cardiovascular diseases, hypertension and hyperlipidemia that are the leading cause death and disability all over the world. Apart from pharmacotherapy, use of antihyperglycemic medicinal food is a new aspect in diabetes management and prevention of its complications. Phoenix dactylifera (date palm) has been traditionally used for different diseases because of the presence of bioactive agents like anthocyanin, phenols, sterols, carotenoids, procyanidins and flavonoids however its potential as a medicinal food is still unclear. Native date fruit variety Aseel oral suspension was evaluated using 32 normoglycemic and hyperglycemic Sprague dawley rats with two doses (300 and 600mg/kg) against control, disease control and standard drug (Glibenclamide 2.5mg/kg). Outcomes of normoglycemic studies reveals insignificant glucose lowering effects however hyperglycemic studies (glucose challenge and Alloxan inducted hyperglycemia) demonstrates significant glucose lowering effect of Aseel date especially with 300mg/kg dose. Data obtained during this study reveal significant anti- hyperglycemic effects of Aseel dates in diabetes management however further preclinical and clinical studies are required to verify the same. Keywords: diabetes mellitus, Phoenix dactylifera (Aseel), normoglycemic, hyperglycemic, Alloxan INTRODUCTION The prevalence of diabetes mellitus is continuously increasing and affecting a major portion of world population. Epidemiologic studies have estimated that around 2.8% of the global population was suffering from diabetes in the year 2000 and it may exceed to 4.4% by the end of year 2030. Diabetes can affects all age and ethnic groups (Xing et al., 2009) and its complications may lead to co-morbidities and even death because of major alterations in body homeostasis (Ivorra et al., 1989). Diabetes is a chronic disease that occurs either because of decreased insulin production from pancreas or when the body cannot utilize insulin effectively. Insulin exhibits key role in glucose metabolism and energy generation. Defective insulin secretion is the main reason for chronic hyperglycemia that leads to alteration of normal physiology and serious damages to many of the body’s organs and system like kidney, heart, eyes, kidneys, nerves and blood vessels (Susheela et al., 2008; World Health Organization , 2009). Diabetes mellitus is one of the frequent metabolic diseases with vascular complications that ultimately lead to significant morbidity and mortality and it is included in 5 major causes of death globally (Semwal et al., 2008). Similar to other metabolic syndromes, there is no cure for diabetes and only management exists that focuses regulation of blood glucose levels through exercise, lifestyle changes and dietary modification along with anti- hyperglycemic drugs (insulin and other antidiabetic agents). These drugs can improve quantity and quality of life. However a number of adverse effects associated with pharmacotherapy compelled researchers to try more holistic approaches like use of medicinal foods with marked anti-hyperglycemic activity to manage diabetes. Current research focuses upon finding of natural remedies for diabetes as potential alternatives with decreased side effects and greater acceptance among general population. Various plant based compounds with significant anti- diabetic activity were isolated and studied (Chandramohan et al., 2008), but researchers still continue their efforts to come up with natural anti-diabetic lead or drugs to the healthcare system. Traditionally, dates not only served as food source but many health benefits in different disease conditions were also associated with it but due to its high sugar and increased caloric contents, dates are not considered as healthy food by majority of physicians and public (Vayalil, 2012). However, in these days, efforts have been *Corresponding author: e-mail: rkhan1959@gmail.com