EFFECT OF OAK (QUEREUS AEGILOPS) LEAVES EXTRACT ON BLOOD GLUCOSE AND LIPID PROFILE IN RABBITS

This study was carried out to evaluate the effects of boiled extract of oak (Quercus aegilops) leaves on blood, glucose, cholesterol, triglyceride (TG), High density Lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C). Low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and risk ratio in male rabbits, also to study the effect of treatment on the chemical composition of liver and thigh as well as the glycogen level . Rabbits (5-6 months old) were divided into two groups (6 rabbits each). Rabbits in the 1st group was treated daily for 28 days with oak leaves boiled extract (250 mg/kg. B. wt) orally. The 2nd group treated with distilled water, served as control. Treatment caused a significant decrease in blood glucose, cholesterol, and LDL-C as compared with control values , risk factor also reduced significantly as compared with control , TG increased significantly as compared with control , treatment also causes a significant increase in liver and thigh glycogen concentrations as compared with control group , also a significant increase in dry matter % , ether extract % , crude protein % and ash % , and a significant decrease in carbohydrate % in both liver and thigh as compared with the control group . In a separate experiment, the single dose of oak leaves boiled extract caused a significant decrease in blood glucose level at 3, 12 and 24 hrs after drenching as compared with pre drenching level . Results revealed that oak leaves boiled extract caused an improvement in lipid profile, and hypoglycemic effect continue significantly for 24 hrs.