Supplementation of Citrus maxima fruits peel powder improves glucose intolerance and prevents oxidative stress in liver of alloxan-induced diabetic rats

Abstract

The present investigation was conducted to evaluate the effect of Citrus maxima fruit peel supplementation in alloxan-induced diabetic rats. Diabetes was induced in male Long Evans rats by intraperitoneal injection of alloxan monohydrate (90 mg/kg body weight). Blood glucose level, oral glucose tolerance, and liver enzyme markers were evaluated. Moreover, histopathological examinations were also conducted using in liver sections to examine inflammation and fibrosis in the liver. Alloxan administered animals showed significant body weight loss and poor glucose tolerance. Alloxan administration also increased the liver marker enzymes’ activities and increased oxidative stress parameters compared to control rats. Citrus maxima fruit peel supplementation for 21 days significantly (p < 0.05) reverted the glucose intolerance and liver enzymes activities to near normal levels. Moreover, Citrus maxima fruit peel supplementation prevented oxidative stress in liver of alloxan-induced diabetic rats. Our investigation also showed that alloxan administration in rats causes inflammatory cells’ infiltration and fibrosis in the liver which is ameliorated by Citrus maxima fruit peel supplementation. Our investigation suggests that Citrus maxima fruit peel supplementation can ameliorate alloxan-induced diabetes and its complications. The antioxidant properties of the fruit probably play a major role in the observed effects.