Brassica juncea (Rai) significantly prevented the development of insulin resistance in rats fed fructose-enriched diet.

Brassica juncea (BJ; Hindi name: Rai) seeds and Murraya koenigii (MK; English names: Curry leaves) leaves, used as food ingredients and also by diabetics in India, were assessed in a fructose-mediated non-genetic model of insulin resistance. Feeding of fructose rich diet for 30 days resulted in rise in blood glucose by 29.4%, insulin by 101.2% and cholesterol by 26.7% indicating development of insulin resistance. However, feeding of a fructose diet containing 10% Brassica juncea seeds powder for 30 days significantly decreased fasting serum glucose, insulin and cholesterol levels but did not normalize them. On the other hand, a diet containing 15% Murraya koenigii leaves powder failed to exert any effect on these parameters. Results of the present study suggests that BJ can play a role in management of pre-diabetic state of insulin resistance and should be promoted for use in patients prone to diabetes.