Evaluation of effects of <em>Opuntia elatior</em> Mill. fruit juice and quercetin on biochemical parameters and histopathological changes in diabetic rats

576-583The present study was carried out to evaluate safety profile following administration of Opuntia elatior Mill. fruit juice (OEFJ) and quercetin for 28 days in diabetic rats. OEFJ (4 mL/kg p.o. for 28 days) and quercetin (50 mg/kg p.o. for 28 days) treatment shown restoring effect on haemoglobin, packed cell volume and total erythrocyte count in diabetic rats. Alterations in levels of alanine aminotransferase, creatinine, total bilirubin and lactate dehydrogenase observed in diabetic rats which were restored to normal level when diabetic rats were treated with OEFJ and quercetin alone and in combination. The mean values of total protein, albumin, globulin, total bilirubin, BUN and ALP were found unaltered in all groups. Damage induced by streptozotocin in pancreas, liver and kidney were lesser compared to diabetic control group when rats were treated with OEFJ and quercetin. However, no appreciable histopathological lesions have been observed in the spleen, heart, lung and intestine of rats in all treatment groups. In conclusion, Opintia elatior Mill. fruit juice have shown protective effect against alterations in biochemical parameters and pathological lesions of pancreas and liver in diabetic rats