Introduction: Type II diabetes is a multifactorial metabolic disorder that affects more than 348 million people worldwide. The pathway of type II diabetes is characterized both by insulin resistance in muscle, fat, and liver in addition to a relative failure of pancreatic cells. CitrullusLanatus (Watermelon) is one of the few foods naturally rich in amino acids citrulline and lycopene which decrease serum glucose concentration in diabetic rats.
Aim of the study: To study the structural changes in diabetic pancreas and the possible role of watermelon rind ingestion in ameliorating the pancreatic changes in experimentally-induced type II diabetes mellitus in rats.
Materials and methods: Eighteen female adult albino rats weighing 170g-200g were randomly divided into three equal groups. Diabetes was induced in all the rats except GI by intraperitoneal injection of 120 mg/kg.b.wnicotinamide, followed by streptozotocin (STZ) at a dose of 60mg/kg.b.w. 15 minutes later, to induce type 2 diabetes. Rats were divided into three groups: namely GI control, GII diabetic, GIII diabetic watermelon rind juice treated. The mean values of body weight and the blood glucose levels were assessed. Histological study of the different experimental groups was done using H&E, Mallory trichrome, Orcein, and immunohistochemical stain for detection of eNOS positive endothelial cells. Data obtained by morphometric and statistical studies were discussed in relation to the microscopic findings.
Results: Diabetes caused harmful effects on the structure of the pancreas. In addition, watermelon rind improved the histological findings if compared with the diabetic untreated group. Also, watermelon rind treatment showed strong immunohistochemical expression for eNOS.
Conclusion: Watermelon rind ingestion in Streptozotocin-induced diabetic female albino rat resulted in ameliorating the structural changes in the pancreas.