The effects of jujube extract and levan on healthy ans type-2 diabetic rats

Jujube fruit has widespread traditional use for antidiabetic purposes. On the other hand, levan attracts attention with 'natto' which is a traditional Japanese food believed to bring long life. However, both the mechanism of action have not been clarified yet. Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disease characterized by hyperglycemia. The aim of this study is to investigate the protective or therapeutic effectiveness of jujube and levan against Type-2 Diabetes mellitus (T2DM), when used individually or combined. In this thesis, 56 male Wistar breed rats with an average weight of 300 - 400 g were used. Four diabetic groups that were made by Nicotinamide/Streptozocin (STZ) model and 4 healthy animal groups (tatal 8 groups) were the subjects of the experiments. Levan and jujube extracts were administrated separately or together for 21 days beginning from the first day and their effects were examined in vivo. During the experiment, the live weight and blood glucose levels of the subjects were measured and on the last day (day 21), blood samples were taken from all rats, and then biochemical parameters were examined. The livers, kidneys and pancreases were taken and evaluated histopathologically. The significant increase in blood glucose levels and body weight loss were observed in the T2DM group. The jujube extract and levan reduced blood glucose levels significantly in healthy individuals. On the other hand, the jujube extract did not made any hypoglycemic effect in diabetic groups and levan was found to have a slight effect that was not statistically significant. The jujube extract and levan have prebiotic activities and their effects stronger when administrated together that was determined by microbiological analysis.