title: Antihyperglycemic and antihyperlipidemic effects of guar gum on streptozotocin-induced diabetes in male rats.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Herbal medicine is widely used in the treatment of diseases like diabetes mellitus. We investigated the effects of guar gum in diabetic rats for the reduction of the risk of diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Dietary pattern emphasizing foods high in complex carbohydrates and fiber are associated with low blood glucose and cholesterol levels.
  
  
  METHODS
  Diet containing 0%, 5%, 10% and 20% (w/w) guar gum was fed to diabetic rats for 28 days. Blood serum glucose, triglycerides, cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels, atherogenic index levels, body weights and food intake were monitored at 0, 7.14 and 28 days after induction of diabetes.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In spite of the fact that diabetes elevated blood lipids in all rats after 14 days, the guar gum diet significantly decreased the serum concentration of cholesterol, triacylglicerols and LDL-C and atherogenic index. The most significant result in this study was the reduction of blood glucose in diabetic rats treated with the guar gum diet after 28 days versus non- and glibenclamide-treated rats. The gum promoted a general improvement in the condition of the diabetic rats in body weight and food intake in comparison with nontreated rats.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results of this research suggest that guar gum was significantly effective in comparison with glibenclamide in the treatment of hyperlipidemia and hyperglycemia in diabetes rats. Therefore, it may be suggested as a reliable fiber in diabetic regimes in diabetic patients.
authors.affiliation: Health Research Strategic Center, Neyshabur Faculty of Medical sciences, Neyshabur, Iran [corrected].
authors.forename: Saeed
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Samarghandian
authors.forename: Samarghandian
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Saeed
authors.forename: Mosa-Al-Reza
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Hadjzadeh
authors.forename: Hadjzadeh
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Mosa-Al-Reza
authors.forename: Fatemeh
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Amin Nya
authors.forename: Amin Nya
authors.initials: AN
authors.lastname: Fatemeh
authors.forename: Saeideh
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Davoodi
authors.forename: Davoodi
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Saeideh