The Potential of Camel Milk and Extracts of Major Plants Browsed by the Animal for Diabetes Treatment

Abstract: Diabetes is one of the world's greatest healthcare challenges affecting millions of people, and recognized as one of an emerging, and challenging public health problems in Ethiopia. This study was done to evaluate the potential of camel milk and extracts of major plants browsed by the animal for the treatment of diabetes. Fresh samples of both camel milk and major plant species frequently browsed by camels were collected from Babile (Oromia Region) and Shinille (Somali region). Taxonomic identification of the plant species browsed by the animal was made, the leaves were dried under shade, and pulverized for nutrient analysis and extraction. Crud extracts were kept under a low temperature (40C) until fed to experimental rats. Eighty adult Winstar rats were divided into sixteen groups and group one through twelve were injected Streptozotocin (STZ) for diabetic whereas groups thirteen through sixteen kept non-diabetic. Group one through six were fed on the plant extracts. Groups seven through sixteen were diabetic and non-diabetic male and female treated with camel milk, Glibenclamide (500 μg/kg, p.o.), and aqueous solutions. Blood glucose levels of the rats were measured before STZ, 72 hours after STZ, and every week until the end of the experiment. Camel milk feeding showed glucose level reduction by 20.5% in male rate and 21.1% in female rate. There is no significant difference in glucose level reduction between male and female (p>0.05). Extracts from Acacia brevispica and Dichrostachys cinerea showed 28.1% and 21% of glucose level reductions, respectively in diabetic rats. Balanites aegyptiaca showed 55.4% of glucose level reduction, significant change (p>0.05). This preliminary finding indicated that using camel milk in the diet could be alleviate diabetes, which is encouraging for further research work with more parameters and better laboratory facilities. Keywords: Babile; Blood Glucose; Glibenclamide; Shinille; Streptozotocin; Winstar rats