Effect of Propolis on Blood Glycemic Control and Lipid Metabolism in Diabetic Rabbits

Abstract

Propolis is a honeybee product that has gained popularity in alternative medicine, due to its biological properties and it has been intensively used in health foods. This study was carried out to investigate the effect of propolis on some biochemical parameters in alloxan-induced diabetic rabbits. Diabetes was induced in all rabbits, except normal control, by a single dose of Alloxan (150 mg/kg, I.V.). Rabbits with glycaemia were treated with alcoholic extract of propolis for 23 days. The marked  significant differences (p<0.05) in weights of body, liver and the biochemical values which included glucose, total protein, triglycerides and  total cholesterol  are recorded  in  comparison with control group. The results indicate a significant decrease (P < 0.05) in the body weight of alloxan-induced diabetic rabbits in comparison with control group, while there were significant increases in the weights of liver. Also, biochemical changes showed significant increases (P<0.05) in glucose, total protein, triglycerides and total cholesterol comparison with control group . Generally, the gradual improvement in blood values was noticed with the increase in concentration alcoholic extract of propolis and it had a potent antihyperglycemic effect, antioxidant activities, radical-scavenging capacities properties and that may be due to the high biological activity and nutritive values contents in bee propolis. In conclusion, the results suggest that propolis could potentially contribute for the prevention and treatment of diabetes mellitus .In conclusion, the results suggest that propolis extract has antihyperglycemic effect and could ameliorate the biochemical disturbances in diabetic rabbits.