EFFECT OF AQUEOUS AND ETHANOL EXTRACT OF DESERT DATE (BALANITES AEGYPTIACA) SEEDS IN MANAGING BLOOD GLUCOSE LEVEL IN DIABETES

ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of aqueous and ethanolic extracts of Balanites aegyptiaca (Desert date) seeds on blood glucose levels in diabetic rats. Diabetes was induced using alloxan monohydrate, after which the animals were divided into four groups: aqueous extract-treated, ethanolic extract-treated, metformin-treated (standard drug), and negative control. The extracts were administered orally for 14 days, and blood glucose levels were measured on days 0, 7, and 14 using standard glucometric methods. Results showed that both extracts significantly reduced blood glucose levels, with the ethanolic extract achieving the highest reduction (49.0%) compared to the aqueous extract (40.85%), while metformin produced only a marginal reduction (3.8%), and the negative control maintained normal glucose levels throughout. The superior effect of the ethanolic extract may be due to its ability to extract a wider range of compounds, including alkaloids, saponins, and phenolics, which may act synergistically to enhance insulin sensitivity and glucose uptake. These findings suggest that Balanites aegyptiaca, particularly in ethanolic form, has strong potential as a natural therapeutic agent for managing diabetes.