Abstract

This study was conducted to explore the effects of Citrus sinensis (orange juice) and Citrus paradisi (grapefruit juice) at three different doses alone and their two combinations on plasma insulin and blood glucose levels in healthy and diabetic rats. Diabetes was induced by alloxan after which rats were treated with C. sinensis and C. paradisi juices for six weeks, blood glucose and plasma insulin concentration was estimated. C. sinensis showed significant reduction in blood glucose and a significant rise in plasma insulin at all three doses. However C. paradisi revealed highly significant fall in blood glucose and highly significant rise in plasma insulin levels only at 0.5 ml/kg. Whereas combination dose group CSP-2 (5 + 0.3 ml/kg) showed highly significant reduction in blood glucose and highly significant rise in plasma insulin levels as compared to diabetic control. These results suggest that flavonoids and other essential nutrients present in citrus fruits juices might be responsible for these effects. Hence, it may be concluded that these juices may be used in combination to produce a synergistic effect in decreasing blood glucose and elevating plasma insulin levels.

Key words: Grape fruit, orange, glucose level, insulin.