Effect of hydroalcoholic leaves extract of Citrullus colocynthis on induction of insulin secretion from isolated rat islets of Langerhans

ObjectiveTo study the effect of hydroalcoholic leaves extract of Citrullus colocynthis (C. colocynthis) on insulin secretion in isolated Langerhans islets of rat.MethodsThe islets were isolated from male adult Wistar rats' pancreas by enzymatic digestion method. After isolation, the islets were incubated in different doses of hydroalcoholic leaves extract of C. colocynthis (0.01, 0.10 and 1.00 mg/mL Hanks' balanced salt solution for 30 min and then calculated insulin level by ELISA method.ResultsThe result showed that C. colocynthis has a potential effect on insulin secretion. It was found that dose of 0.1 mg/mL Hanks' balanced salt solution extract has best affect on induction of insulin secretion.ConclusionsIt is suggested that further studies should be done on insulin releasing effect of secondary metabolites (flavones and flavonoids) isolated from C. colocynthis.