Ahmed et al., 2022
JHE, 2022, 32(1): pp109 -121 . Printed in Menoufia University, Egypt. Copyrights © The JHE
-109-
Faculty of Home Economics
Journal of Home Economics
Menoufia University, Shibin El Kom, Egypt
https://mkas.journals.ekb.eg
Nutrition and Food Sciences
Hyperglycemic Effect of Ropes Roots (Rehium Ribes) and Lemongrass
Leaves (Cymbopogon Cittates) in Alloxan-Induced Diabetic Rats
Adel A. Ahmed, Emad A. El-Kholie, Azza M. El-Eskafy and Nada Y. Darwish
Department of Nutrition and Food Sciences, Faculty of Home Economics, Menoufia University, Shibin El-
Kom, Egypt.
Abstract
Lemongrass and Rheum species are medicinal plants commonly consumed as a beverage
for health and as a diabetes mellitus (DM) treatment in many countries. The primary
purpose of this study was to study the effect of lemongrass leaves, ropes roots, and their
mixture powder in lowering hyperglycemia in diabetic rats. Forty male albino rats
weighing 140g±5g were divided into eight groups, each with five rats. Rats were given
alloxan (150 mg/kg BWT) to make them diabetic. Glucose levels, total cholesterol,
triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein (HDL-c), low-density lipoprotein (LDL-c), very
low-density lipoprotein (VLDL-c), liver functions (ALT, AST, and ALP), and kidney
functions (urea, uric acid, and creatinine) were also assessed. Results showed that the
diabetic group had lower glucose levels and improved liver and kidney functions when
fed a 5% combination, with significant differences (P≤0.05). Mixture plants had
significantly lowest (P≤0.05) cholesterol and triglyceride levels and the lowest LDL-c
and VLDL-c values. The group fed 5% mixed plants had the greatest amounts of HDL-
c. The group fed 2.5 percent lemongrass had the lowest levels, with a significant
difference (P≤0.05). In conclusion, diabetic rats given a 5% mixed powder showed
significantly lower glucose levels and studied biochemical tests. Ropes, lemongrass
powder, and their mixture could be utilized in our beverages, in addition to the other
health benefits.
Key words: Plant roots, Rats, Diabetic, Biochemical analysis.
Introduction
Diabetes mellitus is a class of metabolic illnesses marked by high blood glucose levels
(hyperglycemia) caused by insulin secretion, insulin action, or both
(1)
. Diabetes is one of
the most common chronic diseases in the world, impacting over 100 million individuals.