Antidiabetic effect of oral supplementation with Caulerpa racemosa powder

Algae are known for their high nutritional value and the presence of bioactive compounds with anti-diabetic activity. In this study, the effects of oral supplementation with the whole powdered green alga Caulerpa racemosa was assessed on biochemical and organic parameters in rat model of type 2 diabetes. Type 2 diabetes model (DM) was induced by high fat diet (HFD) (5.75 kcal/g) combined to streptozotocin injection (35 mg/kg). The DM-C500 and DM-C1000 groups were maintained on HFD and supplemented orally during four weeks with powdered C. racemosa at 500 and 1000 mg/kg of body weight, respectively. The DM-C0 group was fed with HFD without C. racemosa supplementation. All the experimental rats were maintained on HFD during the 30 days of experiment. C. racemosa at 500 mg/kg improved fasting glycaemia and glucose tolerance. The IPGTT test revealed a decrease (p