The Effect of Nasturtium Officinale on Blood Glucose Level in Diabetic Rats

In this article, the effect of Nasturtium officinale (watercress, belonging to Brassicaceae) extracts on the blood glucose level was evaluated in diabetic rats. After inducing diabetes via streptozotocin injection, the animals were orally received various concentrations of N. officinale extracts (ethyl acetate, methanol and aqueous) for short (one week) and long (two months) periods. Only 800 and 1000 mg/kg of the methanol extract of N. officinale caused a significant decrease in the blood glucose level after one week treatment. At the end of two months treatment with ethyl acetate extract, the blood glucose level reduced and this reduction was significant statistically in the group, received 100 mg/kg of the extract. The decreasing of blood glucose was comparable with glybenclamide as an anti-diabetic drug. Long period treatment of the animals with methanol and aqueous extracts were not effective.