Hypoglycemic effect of okra aqueous extract on streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

Okra (AbelmoschusesculentusL.Moench) is widely planted in subtropical and tropical areas, with good palatability and a variety of biological activities. However, the hypoglycemic activity of okra aqueous extract and its mechanism were still unclear. In this paper, the hypoglycemic effect of okra aqueous extract on type 1 diabetic rats induced by streptozotocin (STZ) was investigated. The growth indicators, blood physiological and biochemical indicators (such as blood glucose, glucose tolerance, serum lipids, insulin, pyruvate kinase activity), histopathology of liver and pancreas were determined. Comparing with streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats group, the aqueous extract of okra treatment group exhibited decreasing blood glucose level (10.11%), glucose tolerance (12.00%), total triglyceride (41.59%), atherosclerosis index (49.20%), urine sugar (91.91%) and increasing insulin secretion (17.44%) and pyruvate kinase activity (57.41%). Okra aqueous extract significantly ameliorated STZ-induced steatosis of hepatocytes and islet cells. But, the feed intake, water intake, urine volume, and body weight of okra aqueous extract treated groups were not significantly different with those in normal rats groups or diabetic rats group, respectively. Therefore, the aqueous extract of okra was responsible for promoting insulin secretion, increasing pyruvate kinase activity and reducing blood glucose and lipid level.