211 J Contemp Med Sci | Vol. 7, No. 4, July-August 2021: 211–216 Original Ajwa Seeds (Phoenix dactylifera L.) Suspension Exerted Antidiabetic and Antihyperlipidemic Efects Against Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetes in Rats by Downregulating Insulin Expression in the Pancreatic Beta Islets Ahlam Abdulaziz Alahmadi * , Hessah Mohammed Banayah Department of Biological Sciences, College of Science, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. * Correspondence to: Ahlam Abdulaziz Alahmadi (E-mail: aahmadi1000@hotmail.com) (Submitted: 18 April 2021 – Revised version received: 29 April 2021 – Accepted: 11 May 2021 – Published online: 26 August 2021) Abstract Objectives This study investigated the antidiabetic and antihyperlipidemic effects of the powdered seeds of Ajwa Al-Madina in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetes in rats. Besides investigating the possible underlying mechanisms. Methods Rats were assigned to one of six groups (n = 5) as follows: normal control, vehicle control, Ajwa seeds control, diabetic control, Diabetic + Metformin, and Diabetic + Ajwa seeds. Metformin and Ajwa seeds were injected into rats orally via oral gavage 6 days/week along 4 weeks period. Results Ajwa seeds decreased fasting serum glucose, increased fasting serum insulin and decreased fasting serum triglycerides cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein, and increased fasting serum high-density lipoprotein. Besides, it upregulated insulin protein immunoexpression in the beta cells of Langerhans islets. Ajwa seed also preserved the normal histological structure of the pancreatic beta cells tissue. Conclusion Ajwa seeds produced significant hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic effects in diabetic rats mainly through enhancement of insulin secretion. The plant is a promising adjunctive therapy in diabetes mellitus treatment. Keywords Ajwa seeds, glucose, insulin, histopathology, lipids, immunoexpression Introduction Diabetes mellitus (DM) is one of the world’s fastest-growing health issues in the twenty-frst century. It is one of the leading causes of death worldwide. if not treated properly, it can cause chronic health problems, especially cardiovascular, renal, and nerve complications. 1 According to the International Diabetes Federation (IDF), the global prevalence of DM is projected to rise from 425 million patients in 2017 to 629 million in 2045. In the Middle East, DM claimed the lives of 38.7 million people between the ages of 20 and 79 years in 2017. 2,3 DM is one of the most prevalent health problems in Saudi Arabia (SA). 4 DM has also increased tenfold in SA over the last three decades. 5 While there are several oral drugs available to treat DM, the majority of them are inefective at preventing serious complications, regulating blood glucose levels, and are associ- ated with numerous side efects. 6 In the last century, herbal medicines have gained popu- larity. Before the introduction of medications, traditional healers used herbal products to cure DM. A plant extract is a mixture of organic chemicals derived from some portion of the plant. As a result, they are healthy since they are organic and thus less dangerous and have fewer adverse reactions. 7,8 Many fruits’ seeds are used in traditional and herbal medicine to prevent diseases, relieve stress, and minimize side efects. 9 Dates (Phoenix dactylifera L., family Arecaceae) are a common fruit in the Arab World. It is regarded as a major nutritional and economic product. 10 In Egypt, SA, and other Middle East countries, it is the most important crop. 11 Phoenix dactylifera (Ph. dactylifera) seeds are normally discarded by the fruit industry as byproducts. Tese seeds have ofen been roasted, ground, and used as a cafeine-free cofee substitute, either pure or mixed with cofee, as well as animal feed. 12 Te various parts of Ph. dactylifera are popularly used to manage a variety of ailments, including neurological diseases, memory deterioration, paralysis, hyperthermia, and coma. 13 Date fruits and seeds, in the form of powder, pulp, and infusion, are com- monly used in research to treat atherosclerosis, malignancy, asthenia, pulmonary ailments, and throat infections. Date fruits and seeds are also used as an antidiarrheic, hypogly- cemic, expectorant, tonic, aphrodisiac, and mouthwash. 14 Ajwa is a form of the date that is only grown in SA/ Al-Madinah Al-Munawara and has a high medicinal value. Te health benefts of Ajwa dates have been recorded in hadith, with Saud (R.A) narrating, “If anyone takes seven Ajwa dates in the morning, neither magic nor poison can harm him that day”. 11 Ajwa date seed extracts were found to have an antihy- perglycemic activity in laboratory animals in several recent studies. 15,16 However, the mechanism underlying this efect remains unknown and requires further investigation and evidence. Tis study aims to examine if the powdered seeds of Ajwa Al-Madina have a therapeutic impact on DM induced by streptozotocin (STZ) in rats, and if so, what the mechanism is. Materials and Methods Drugs and Chemicals STZ was obtained from Sigma-Aldrich, USA. Metformin (Glucophage, 500 mg, Merck Santé, France) from Alnahdi pharmacy, SA. Ajwa seeds were gathered from Ajwa dates, Oasis Lina, Al-Madinah Al-Munawara, SA. Ajwa Seeds Aqueous Suspension Te seeds were separated from the feshes, and the deposit was cleaned. Seeds were air-dried at ambient temperature for 15–21 days. Te dried seeds were ground into a fne powder using a hammer mill. One-gram Ajwa seeds powder was mixed with 10 ml Tween-80 to make seeds suspension (Figure 1). ISSN 2413-0516