Effects of dragon fruit (Hylocereus undatus Haw. Britton and Rose) flower tea in the blood glucose levels of male rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) /
Karen Krista M. Escobar, Riel Camille S. Mendoza and Myrtel Joy S. Salcedo.
- Indang, Cavite : Cavite State University- Main Campus, 2010
- xiii, 49 pages : illustrations ; 28 cm
Thesis (Bachelor of Science in Medical Technology) Cavite State University.
Includes bibliographical references.
College of Nursing. (CON) College of Nursing. (CON)
ESCOBAR, KAREN KRISTA M., MENDOZA, RIEL CAMILLE S., SALCEDO, MYRTEL JOY S., Effects of Dragon Fruit (Hylocereus undatus Haw. Britton and Rose) Flower Tea in the Blood Glucose Levels of Male Rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus). Undergraduate Thesis. Bachelor of Science in Medical Technology. Cavite State University, Indang, Cavite, April 2010. Adviser: Dr. Adelaida E. Sangalang.
The study was conducted to determine the effects of dragon fruit flower tea consumption in the blood sugar levels of an experimental animal. Specifically, this study aimed to ascertain the effect of flower tea in lowering blood glucose; determine the specific range of blood glucose levels of the test animal after tea administration; and determine the effects of different concentrations of dragon fruit flower tea consumption in the blood glucose levels of the test animal. Four treatments were used and each treatment was replicated three times: T1, which had no administration of flower tea; T2, which had consumption of 5 grams of air-dried flowers per 250 mL water; T3, which had consumption of 10 grams of air-dried flowers per 250 mL water; and T4, which had consumption of 15 grams of air-dried flowers per 250 mL water.
The blood glucose levels of rabbits were regulated at normal level which ranged from 4.70 to 5.70 mmol/L using 15 grams of air-dried flowers per 250 mL water. On the contrary, using 5 grams and 10 grams of air-dried flowers per 250 mL water increased the blood glucose levels of rabbits during the first to third week of flower tea administration but the blood glucose levels decreased during the fourth week. The specific range of blood glucose levels of the test animal after tea administration with hyperglycemia was 5.47 - 7.5 mmol/L while the normal range was 4.17 to 4.95 mmol/L.
Significant results of blood glucose levels were seen during the second to third week of observation wherein glucose levels increased particularly in the third week due to overfasting. However, during the 4th week of tea administration, blood glucose levels decreased after reaching hyperglycemic state.
Results showed that 15 grams of air-dried flowers per 250 mL water can be taken to regulate blood glucose levels of normal individuals.