Author(s): Ghanya Al-Naqeb

Abstract: This study was undertaken to investigate the hypoglycemic effect of the prickly pear cactus seeds oil (PPO) in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats (STZ) and its molecular mechanisms. Oil extracts exhibited strong antioxidant properties when compared to α-tocopherol. Unsaturated fatty acids were the most fatty acids content representing up to 80.9%. Administration of PPO at different doses to STZ induced diabetic rats, resulted in significant decrease (P<0.05) in plasma glucose level in a dose dependent manner. Treatment with PPO elicited an increase in the expression level of glucose transporter 2 (Slc2a2) gene but reduced the expression of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PCK1) gene. More fore, PPO treated rats, showed significantly lower levels of serum alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and urea levels compared to STZ untreated rats. Prickly pear cactus oil is beneficial for improvement of hyperglycemia by increasing gene expression of liver Slc2a2 and reducing expression of PCK1 genes in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.