Antidiabetic effect of grape seed (OPC 95%) powder on nSTZ-induced type 2 diabetic model rats

Grape seeds (GSs) have been claimed for antidiabetic effects since long. Due to its rich phytochemical potential, current study was aimed to evaluate the antidiabetic effect of GSs powder (GSP) (OPC 95%) on neonatal streptozotocin (nSTZ) induced T2DM rats. STZ (90 mg/kg) was administered intraperitoneally in 48 h old rat pups. After 3 months, 24 T2DM rats were selected by OGTT for 28-days experiment and divided into four groups (n=6) group I: Normal water control [NWC], group II: Diabetic water control [DWC] (10 mL ddH2O/kg bw) group III:  Gliclazide treated [GT] (20 mg/kg bw) and group IV: GSP treated group (1.25 g/kg/ bw). Blood were collected by tail cut and cardiac puncture method during the begging and end of the experiment respectively and thereafter serum was separated. Liver was also collected and all samples stored at -20°C freezer until the measurement of fasting serum glucose (FSG), lipid profile, insulin level and liver glycogen content by following standard methods. Statistical analysis was performed considering one-way ANOVA and paired t-test. Oral consumption of GSP significantly (P<0.009) reduced FSG and increased serum insulin (p<0.001) compared with base line value. GT group also ameliorated FSG significantly (p<0.001) compared to DWC group. Moreover, liver glycogen content was also improved by 16% compared with DWC group. Additionally, TG, TC and LDL were significantly reduced (p<0.002, p<0.01, p<0.05 respectively), HDL was increased by 4% through consecutive GSP treatment. Current results suggest that GSP possesses a significant hypoglycemic effect in T2DM rats. Key words: Grape seed powder, T2DM, streptozotocin, glycemic status.