Anti-diabetic activity of red pitaya (Hylocereus polyrhizus) fruit

• Main Authors: Omidizadeh, Alireza, Mohd Yusof, Rokiah, Roohinejad, Shahin, Ismail, Amin, Abu Bakar @ Zakaria, Md Zuki, Bekhit, Alaa El-Din A.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Royal Society of Chemistry 2014
• Online Access: http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/36473/1/Anti-diabetic%20activity%20of%20red%20pitaya%20%28Hylocereus%20polyrhizus%29%20fruit.pdf; http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/36473/
• Institution: Universiti Putra Malaysia

This study investigated the anti-insulin resistant activity of red pitaya (Hylocereus polyrhizus) fruit. Fresh pitaya along with two heat-processed pitaya samples with different proportions of phenolic contents, scavenging activities, and soluble dietary fibers were tested in insulin resistant rats over 6 weeks of treatment in a cause-effect study to investigate the anti-insulin resistant components of red pitaya. The results showed that fresh pitaya significantly (p < 0.05) attenuated the insulin resistance, hypertriglyceridemia and atherosclerotic changes induced by fructose supplement in rats. Thermally-treated pitaya at 95 °C for 30 min (containing a low antioxidant content) significantly (p < 0.05) improved hyperinsulinemia. Thermally-treated pitaya at 105 °C for 60 min (containing a low antioxidant and soluble dietary fiber content) fed to rats had no significant effect on insulin resistance, dyslipidemia and atherogenesis. Based on this study, the anti-insulin resistant effect of red pitaya can be attributed to its antioxidant and soluble dietary fiber contents.