(especially, omega-3 and omega-6) and monounsaturated fatty acids is also believed
to reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases. One of the assumed possibilities is the
non-saponifiable portion of the cottonseed oil, which contains tocopherols and betasitosterol and may be responsible for modifying the blood lipid response together
with overall alteration of the dietary pattern due to the dietary intervention (Davis
et al. 2012; Radcliffe et al. 2004).
3.6.2 Risk of Type 2 Diabetes
Type 2 diabetes, the most common form of diabetes mellitus, is a disorder of
carbohydrate metabolism characterized by impaired ability of the body to produce
or respond to insulin hormone and thereby maintain proper sugar (glucose) levels in
the blood. Several animal studies triggered the role of cottonseed aqueous extract in
the diabetes mellitus; conversely, no study is documented with CSO. In one of the
earlier approaches, the aqueous extract of cottonseed was able to reduce blood sugar
in alloxan-induced diabetes mellitus in rats where a dose of 1000 mg/kg was found
to be an effective dose (Sadique et al. 1987). Cottonseed extract was able to enhance
the liver glycogen (such as glibenclamid) and was also able to reduce blood
cholesterol which was found raised in the diabetic state. Additionally, it was able
to normalize the altered level in the liver lipid peroxide content.
In a separate study, the effect of gland cottonseed dietary fiber (CSDF) containing
86% dietary fiber (mainly cellulose) was studied on serum glucose levels in diabetic
rats and in non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) patients (Madar et al.
1988). Diet containing 15% CSDF given to streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats for
30 days tended to diminish the postprandial plasma glucose level curve but had no
effect on body weight and serum lipid levels. Twelve NIDDM subjects were given a
meal tolerance test (MTT) with or without CSDF before and after daily supplementation of CSDF (16.5 g) in pita twice a day for a month. Incremental glucose levels
were significantly (P < 0.05) lower at 30, 60, and 180 min after the MTT containing
CSDF than in subjects consuming a meal without CSDF. The insulin levels also
tended to be lower. The NIDDM subjects tolerated the CSDF well; no flatulence or
other side effects were noticed by the researchers (Madar et al. 1988).
3.6.3 Insulin Resistance and Glycemic Control
For the regulation of glucose homeostasis, absorption of glucose from the gut and
subsequent glucose uptake into muscles is greatly essential. In one of the recent
studies, a group of researchers investigated if gossypol has the potential in managing
and preventing diabetes by ameliorating glucose uptake and improving glucose
homeostasis (Alam et al. 2018). Further, they also determined the molecular mechanisms underlying those processes in vitro and in vivo. According to the report,
82
M. K. Sihag et al.
to reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases. One of the assumed possibilities is the
non-saponifiable portion of the cottonseed oil, which contains tocopherols and betasitosterol and may be responsible for modifying the blood lipid response together
with overall alteration of the dietary pattern due to the dietary intervention (Davis
et al. 2012; Radcliffe et al. 2004).
3.6.2 Risk of Type 2 Diabetes
Type 2 diabetes, the most common form of diabetes mellitus, is a disorder of
carbohydrate metabolism characterized by impaired ability of the body to produce
or respond to insulin hormone and thereby maintain proper sugar (glucose) levels in
the blood. Several animal studies triggered the role of cottonseed aqueous extract in
the diabetes mellitus; conversely, no study is documented with CSO. In one of the
earlier approaches, the aqueous extract of cottonseed was able to reduce blood sugar
in alloxan-induced diabetes mellitus in rats where a dose of 1000 mg/kg was found
to be an effective dose (Sadique et al. 1987). Cottonseed extract was able to enhance
the liver glycogen (such as glibenclamid) and was also able to reduce blood
cholesterol which was found raised in the diabetic state. Additionally, it was able
to normalize the altered level in the liver lipid peroxide content.
In a separate study, the effect of gland cottonseed dietary fiber (CSDF) containing
86% dietary fiber (mainly cellulose) was studied on serum glucose levels in diabetic
rats and in non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) patients (Madar et al.
1988). Diet containing 15% CSDF given to streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats for
30 days tended to diminish the postprandial plasma glucose level curve but had no
effect on body weight and serum lipid levels. Twelve NIDDM subjects were given a
meal tolerance test (MTT) with or without CSDF before and after daily supplementation of CSDF (16.5 g) in pita twice a day for a month. Incremental glucose levels
were significantly (P < 0.05) lower at 30, 60, and 180 min after the MTT containing
CSDF than in subjects consuming a meal without CSDF. The insulin levels also
tended to be lower. The NIDDM subjects tolerated the CSDF well; no flatulence or
other side effects were noticed by the researchers (Madar et al. 1988).
3.6.3 Insulin Resistance and Glycemic Control
For the regulation of glucose homeostasis, absorption of glucose from the gut and
subsequent glucose uptake into muscles is greatly essential. In one of the recent
studies, a group of researchers investigated if gossypol has the potential in managing
and preventing diabetes by ameliorating glucose uptake and improving glucose
homeostasis (Alam et al. 2018). Further, they also determined the molecular mechanisms underlying those processes in vitro and in vivo. According to the report,
82
M. K. Sihag et al.