Effect of the Treatment with Olive Leaves on Carbohydrate Metabolism in Rabbits

Abstract

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of olive leaves on carbohydrate metabolism in male rabbits (8-10 weeks old). The animals were divided into 3 groups of six a animals each. The first and second groups were treated daily for 10 weeks with olive leaves (2.5 with ration) and with olive leaves boiled extract ( 2500 mg/kg B.wt orally)respectively. The third group served as control. The results showed alterations in carbohydrate metabolism as manifested by the significant decrease in blood glucose levels and the accompanied changes in the chemical composition of liver as represented by the significant increase in the percentage of carbohydrate in the treated groups and protein in the groups treated with olive leaves in ration and in the thigh as represented by the significant increase in the percentage of protein in the treated groups and fat and carbohydrate in the groups treated with olive leaves with ration. The results also showed significant increase in the mean body weigh increment and feed efficiency in the group treated with olive leaves with vation.