ejbps, 2016, Volume 3, Issue 12, 108-114. Research Article SJIF Impact Factor 3.

881

european journal of biomedical ISSN 2349-8870

Ebirien et al. European Journal of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences
Volume: 3
and pharmaceutical sciences Issue: 12
108-114
http://www.ejbps.com Year: 2016

THE EFFECT OF CUCUMIS SATIVUS (CUCUMBER) ON BLOOD GLUCOSE

CONCENTRATION AND BLOOD PRESSURE OF APPARENTLY HEALTHY
INDIVIDUALS IN PORT HARCOURT.

*Ebirien-Agana Samuel Bartimaeus 1, Justice Gbeke Echeonwu2, Stella Urekweru Ken-Ezihuo3

1,2,3
Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Rivers State University of Science and Technology, P.M.B.5080,
Nkpolu-Oroworukwo, Port Harcourt, Nigeria.

* Corresponding Author: Dr. Ebirien-Agana Samuel Bartimaeus

Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Rivers State University of Science and Technology, P.M.B.5080, Nkpolu-Oroworukwo, Port
Harcourt, Nigeria.

Article Received on 11/10/2016 Article Revised on 31/10/2016 Article Accepted on 20/11/2016

ABSTRACT
The effect of cucumis sativus (cucumber) on plasma glucose concentration and blood pressure measurements of
apparently healthy individuals were determined. A total of fifty apparently healthy individuals aged 18-29 years
participated in the study and were divided into 5 groups. Group 1 was given 200g cucumis sativus juice only,
group 2 received 200g cucumis sativus juice + 200g (ww) rice meal, group 3 was given 400g cucumis sativus juice
only, group 4 was given 400g cucumis sativus juice + 400g (ww) rice meal, and Group 5 was given 400g rice meal
(w/w) only. The systolic and diastolic blood pressures (baseline) and 2-hour post-prandial of the participants were
determined immediately before blood samples baseline (fasting blood sample) and 2hours post-prandial blood
samples were collected for analysis of plasma blood glucose concentration. The result of the analysis showed no
significant (p > 0.05) difference in plasma glucose, systolic and diastolic blood pressure levels in group 1 and
group 2. Groups 3, 4 and 5 showed significant difference (p< 0.05) in the plasma glucose values between the
baseline (pre-treatment) individuals and 2-hour post prandial individuals. No significant difference in systolic and
diastolic blood pressures was observed. However, a consistent reduction in the blood pressures was observed in all
groups following administration of increasing quantity of cucumis sativus. The implication is that cucumis sativus
has been demonstrated to have an anti-hyperglycaemic effect on blood glucose concentration of the participants
when higher quantity of the juice was consumed.

KEYWORDS: Diabetes mellitus, hyperglycaemia, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure.

INTRODUCTION hyperglycemic peak.[3] Simmons (1976).[4] reported that

All cucumbers belong to the botanical plant family called
Curcurbitaceae. This broad family of plants includes
melons and squashes. Cucumber is the edible fruit of the
cucumber plant, Cucumis sativus. The plant has large
leaves that form a canopy over the fruit. The fruit is
roughly cylindrical, elongated, with tapered ends, and
may be as large as 60 cm long and 10 cm wide. The most
popular variety is the long smooth salad cucumber which
has a smooth, dark-green skin. The cucumbers we are
most familiar with in the grocery store belong to the
specific genus, Cucumis sativus.[1] Cucumbers are mainly
eaten in the unripe green form. The ripe yellow form
normally becomes too bitter and sour.[2]
Cucumber (Cucumis sativus) originated in India but was
soon cultivated in different parts of the world. Studies
done in healthy rabbits in Mexico showed that cucumber
is one of the edible plants with hypoglycemic activity
and its anti-hyperglycemic effect significantly decreased
the area under the glucose tolerance curve and the
cucumber (whole fruit) has about 96 percent water
content which is the highest of any vegetable.
Diabetes mellitus is a group of metabolic diseases
characterized by hyperglycemia resulting from defects in
insulin secretion, insulin action, or both. The chronic
hyperglycemia of diabetes mellitus is associated with
long-term damage, dysfunction, and failure of different
organs, especially the eyes, kidneys, nerves, heart, and
blood vessels.[5]
The treatment and management of diabetes mellitus with
synthetic drugs has brought great relief to diabetics but in
many developing countries, the prohibitive cost of these
medications has made it difficult for diabetics with poor
income level to access the benefits of these therapies.
Apart from cost, synthetic drugs used in the treatment of
diabetes mellitus have side effects [6]. For this reason,
traditional medicinal practitioners have described a
number of plants used as complementary herbal anti-

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Ebirien et al. European Journal of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences
diabetic drugs, mostly with less dangerous side effects
and low cost.[7] The hypoglycemic effect of several of
such plants belonging to the family curcurbitaceae has
been confirmed and the mechanisms of hypoglycemic
activity of this new bioactive drug constituents is also
being studied.[8]
Diabetes mellitus and hypertension has been found to co-
exist in a number of patients. About 10 to 15% and 1 to
2% of Nigerians have hypertension and diabetes
respectively [9]. Data obtained from death certificates in
the U.S.A. indicates that hypertension has been
implicated in 44% of deaths coded to diabetes, and
diabetes is involved in 10% of deaths to hypertension [10].
Hyperglycaemia which could result to diagnosis of
diabetes mellitus was defined based on the World Health
Organization (WHO) criteria.[11] Systolic blood pressure
> 140mmHg and/or diastolic blood pressure > 90mmHg
measured using standard procedures were used to make a
diagnosis of hypertension.[12]
In the last few years there has been an exponential
growth in the field of herbal medicine and these drugs
are gaining popularity both in developing and developed
countries like Nigeria because of their natural origin and
less side effects [13]. Cucumis sativus is an important
medicinal plant with diverse pharmacological activity
such as antibacterial and antifungal.[14], cytotoxic.[15,16]
antacid and carminative activity.[17], hepatoprotective
activity.[18] blood lipid lowering activity.[19] and a host of
others. Hence, Cucumis sativus plays a significant role in
the prevention and treatment of disease.[20]. Cucumis
sativus is a common stable fruit commonly consumed by
most residents of Port Harcourt. However, there is
paucity of literatures on studies based on the medicinal
benefits of Cucumis sativus sold in Port Harcourt. Thus,
this study was aimed at determining the effect of
cucumber (whole fruit) on blood glucose concentration
and blood pressure of apparently healthy individuals in
Port Harcourt, Nigeria.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Study Area
The research was conducted at the Department of
Medical Laboratory Science using blood samples from
apparently healthy subjects from the Rivers State
University of Science and Technology, Port-Harcourt,
Rivers State. Cucumis sativus (cucumber fruit) was
purchased from the popular fruit garden market, along
Kaduna Street, in Port Harcourt.
Fig. 1: Cucumber creepers and fruit
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Study Population
A total of 50 subjects were enrolled for this study, and all
were apparently healthy individuals of both genders with
age range of 18 to 29 years. The participants were all
students of Rivers State University of Science and
Technology. Port-Harcourt.
Ethical considerations
Ethical clearance was obtained from the Faculty Board
of Science of the Rivers State University of Science and
Technology, Port Harcourt, Nigeria and each of the
participant gave their voluntary consent to participate in
the study.
Inclusion Criteria
Apparently healthy individuals were used for this study.
They were selected based on the fact that they were not
diabetic, smokers or drink alcohol.
Exclusion Criteria
Individuals excluded from this research include, diabetic
individuals, hypertensive individuals, chronic smokers,
alcoholics and those who reported being on drugs during
the period of the research.
Study Design
The participants (50 subjects) fasted all night (a
minimum of 8 hours fast) after their last meal by 8.00pm
the previous night and were divided into five groups. The
fasting blood samples (baseline) of the participants (50
subjects) were collected and their systolic and diastolic
blood pressures were measured. Group 1 participants (10
subjects) were given juice made from 200g of cucumber
(two average size) only. Group 2 participants (12
subjects) were given juice made from 200g of cucumber
and 200g of cooked rice meal wet weight (ww). Group 3
participants (11 subjects) were given juice made from
400g of cucumber (four average size) only. Group 4
participants (8 subjects) were given juice made from
400g of cucumber and 400g of cooked rice meal (w/w)
while group 5 participants (9 subjects) were given 400g
of cooked rice meal (w/w) only. After administration of
the meal and cucumber juice, their post-blood pressure
(systolic and diastolic pressure) were determined two
hours later with the simultaneous collection of their
blood samples (2-hours post-prandial).
Sample Collection and Plasma Preparation
Fasting blood samples were collected from each
participant before administration of the test meal from a
prominent vein by venipuncture using 5ml syringe (LOT:
141021). 5ml of blood was withdrawn into the syringe
and transferred to fluoride oxalate anticoagulant bottles
(LOT: 140903) for plasma glucose estimation. Two
hours later, blood samples were also collected from each
of the participants using the same process, and they were
also transferred to fluoride oxalate anticoagulant bottle
(LOT: 130819).
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 Ebirien et al.
The anti-coagulated blood samples were spun in a
centrifuge at 3000 revolutions per minute (rpm) for 5
minutes. The plasma was separated from the red cells
using a Pasteur pipette and transferred into a plain bottle
and analyzed within two hours of separation.
Determination of Glucose
Trinder’s glucose oxidase-peroxidase method [21] was
employed in the determination of the plasma glucose
concentration in the subjects. The method is based on the
oxidation of glucose by glucose oxidase to produce
gluconic acid and hydrogen peroxide. The H2O2 is then
oxidatively coupled with 4-aminophenazone (4-AAP)
and phenol in the presence of peroxidase to yield a red
quinoneimine dye that was measured at 505nm.
Glucose + 2H2O + O 2 Glucose Oxidase
Gluconic acid + H2O2
2H2O + 4-AAP + Phenol Peroxidase
Quinoneimine dye
The absorbance of the coloured solution is directly
proportional to the glucose concentration, when
measured at 505nm.
Measurement of Blood Pressure Using Digital
Sphygmomanometer
The measurement of systolic and diastolic pressures was
based on oscillometric detection, using apiezoelectric
pressure sensor and electronic components, including a
microprocessor. The left arm of the participant was put
into the open cuff cylinder; the artery mark was
positioned over the main artery on the inside of the arm.
The cuff was wrapped around the arm of the participants
Table (1): Mean ± SD of parameters for subjects given 200g of cucumber only
Treatment Blood glucose (mmol/L) Systolic pressure (mmHg)
Pre-treatment (baseline) n=10 5.75 ± 1.88
Post-treatment (2HPP) n=10 4.81 ± 1.42
p-value p> 0.05, t= 1.28
Mean of the parameters for subjects given mixture of
200g cucumber juice and 200g of rice meal
The mean ± SD of plasma glucose level in the subjects
before treatment with juice prepared with 200g of
cucumber and 200g of cooked white rice meal was 5.47
± 1.68 mmol/L (baseline) while the systolic and diastolic
blood pressures were 128.10 ± 14.53 mmHg and 74.50 ±
20.38 mmHg respectively. The 2-hours post prandial
Table (2): Mean ± SD of parameters for subjects given mixture of 200g cucumber and 200g of rice
Treatment Blood glucose (mmol/L)
Pre-treatment control (fasting) n=12 5.47 ± 1.68
Post-treatment (2HPP) n=12 4.80 ± 1.91
p-value p> 0.05, t= 0.90
Mean of the parameters for subjects given juice made
from 400g of cucumber only
The mean ±SD of plasma glucose level in the subjects
(baseline) before treatment with 400g cucumber juice
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European Journal of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences
and the systolic and diastolic pressure of the participants
was digitally determined in mmHg. Two readings of the
blood pressure were taken before the administration of
the test meal and two hours after administration of the
test meal. The mean of the values was taken as the blood
pressure measurement.
Statistical Data Analysis
The data obtained from the study were analyzed using
the GraphPad Instant Version 3.10, 12 bit for Windows.
The analysis performed included the computation of the
means and standard deviation. The student t- test analysis
was used to verify significant differences between the
means at p<0.05.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Mean of the parameters for subjects given juice made
from 200g of cucumber only
The mean ± SD plasma glucose level of the subjects
before treatment (baseline) with 200g cucumber juice
was 5.75 ±1.88 mmol/L while the mean ±SD of the
systolic and diastolic pressures were 121.60 ± 15.75
mmHg and 73.90 ± 6.94 mmHg respectively. The mean
±SD of plasma glucose of the subjects after 2-hours post
prandial administration of 200g of cucumber juice was
4.81 ± 1.42mmol/L, while the systolic and diastolic
pressure measurement was 111.50 ± 12.29 mmHg and
69.30 ± 6.09 mmHg respectively (table 1). There were
no significant differences between the mean plasma
glucose levels (p>0.05, t=1.28), systolic blood pressures
(p>0.05, t=1.59) and diastolic pressures (p>0.05, t=1.58)
respectively between these parameters in the subjects at
baseline and two hours after the test meal.
Diastolic pressure (mmHg)
121.60 ± 15.75 73.90 ± 6.94
111.50 ± 12.29 69.30 ± 6.09
p> 0.05, t= 1.59 p> 0.05, t= 1.58
values were 4.80 ± 1.91 mmol/L for plasma glucose,
119.90 ± 16.17 mmHg for systolic pressure and 67.42 ±
14.21 mmHg for diastolic pressure respectively (table 2).
There were also no statistical significant differences in
the plasma glucose levels (p>0.05, t=0.90), systolic
pressure (p>0.05, t =1.30) and diastolic pressure (p>0.05,
t =0.99) respectively between these parameters at
baseline and two hours after the test meal.
Systolic pressure (mmHg) Diastolic pressure (mmHg)
128.1 ± 14.53 74.50 ± 20.38
119.9 ± 16.17 67.42 ± 14.21
p> 0.05, t= 1.30 p> 0.05, t= 0.99
was 5.26 ± 0.86 mmol/L while the systolic and diastolic
blood pressures were 126.36 ± 20.57 mmHg and 70.27 ±
18.80 mmHg respectively. The 2-hours post prandial
values after administration of 400g of cucumber juice
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 Ebirien et al. European Journal of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences

were 4.4 ± 0.59mmol/L for plasma glucose, 113.82 ±
18.31 mmHg for systolic blood pressure and 67.27 ±
15.07 mmHg for diastolic pressure respectively (table 3).
There was a significant difference between the plasma
glucose levels (p<0.05, t=2.76) of the subjects who
consumed 400g of cucumber juice and those who did not
(baseline); whereas no significant difference in systolic
pressure (p>0.05, t =1.51) and diastolic pressure (p>0.05,
t=0.41) respectively were observed between these
parameters in the baseline subjects and the 2- hours post
prandial subjects although obvious decrease in the blood
pressure measurements were observed.

Table (3): Mean ± SD of parameters for subjects given 400g of cucumber only
Treatment Blood glucose (mmol/L) Systolic pressure (mmHg) Diastolic pressure (mmHg)
Pre-treatment control (fasting) n=11 5.26 ± 0.85 126.4 ± 20.57 70.27 ± 18.80
Post-treatment (2HPP) n=11 4.40 ± 0.58 113.8 ± 18.31 67.27 ± 15.07
P-value p <0.05, t= 2.76 p> 0.05, t= 1.51 p> 0.05, t= 0.41

Mean of the parameters for subjects given mixture of
400g of cucumber juice and 400g of rice meal.
The mean ± SD of plasma glucose level of the subjects
(baseline) before treatment with 400g of cucumber juice
and 400g of cooked white rice meal was 5.36 ± 1.03
mmol/L while the systolic and diastolic pressures were
127 ± 7.91 mmHg and 77.25 ± 7.78 mmHg respectively.
The 2-hours post prandial values after treatment with the
test meal were 4.35 ± 0.72 mmol/L for plasma glucose,
114 ± 9.78 mmHg for systolic blood pressure and 65.75
± 5.23 mmHg for diastolic blood pressure respectively
(table 4). There was a significant difference (p<0.05,
t=2.27) in the means of plasma glucose levels between
the subjects who consumed the test meal and those who
did not (baseline), whereas no statistical significant
difference in systolic blood pressure (p>0.05, t =0.08)
and diastolic blood pressure (p>0.05, t=1.47)
respectively was observed between these parameters at
baseline and 2- hours after the test meal even though
there also an observed decrease in the blood pressure
measurements between the two groups.

Table (4): Mean ± SD of parameters for subjects given 400g of cucumber juice and 400g of cooked white rice
meal
Treatment Blood glucose (mmol/L) Systolic pressure (mmHg) Diastolic pressure (mmHg)
Pre-treatment control (fasting) n=8 5.36 ± 1.03 130 ± 11.30 71.88 ± 13.57
Post-treatment (2HPP) n=8 4.35 ± 0.72 118.6 ± 13.5 63.25 ± 9.65
p-value <0.05, t=2.27 >0.05, t= 0.08 >0.05, t= 1.47

Mean of the parameters for subjects given 400g of
rice meal only
The mean ± SD of plasma glucose level of the subjects
who were not given the 400g rice meal (baseline) was
5.03 ± 0.73 mmol/L while the systolic and diastolic
blood pressures were 132.6 ± 11.65 mmHg and 78.67 ±
6.34 mmHg respectively. The 2-hours post prandial
values for subjects given 400g of rice meal only were 9.8
± 0.93 mmol/L for blood glucose, 128.3 ± 10.27mmHg
for systolic blood pressure and 75.33 ± 7.48 mmHg for
diastolic blood pressure respectively (table 5). There was
an increase between the plasma glucose level of the
subjects at baseline and those who received the 400g rice
meal only after two hours of measurement which was
statistically significant (p< 0.05, t=12.02) and an obvious
decrease in the blood pressures which were not statistical
significant (p>0.05, t=0.82) when compared with the
baseline.

Table (5): Mean ± SD of parameters for subjects given 400g of rice only
Treatment Blood glucose (mmol/L) Systolic pressure (mmHg) Diastolic pressure (mmHg)
Pre-treatment control (fasting) n=9 5.03 ± 0.73 132.6 ± 11.65 78.67 ± 6.34
Post-treatment (2HPP) n=9 9.8 ± 0.93 128.3 ± 10.27 75.33 ± 7.48
p-value P< 0.05, t=12.02 P> 0.05, t=0.82 P>0.05, t=1.019

A lot of oral hypoglycaemic drugs are available along
with insulin which are used in the treatment of diabetes
mellitus; yet the cure for diabetes is still elusive [22].
Literatures are beginning to report the antidiabetic
potential of many traditional medicinal plants especially
in the experimental animals.[23] Although many
traditional medicinal plants have shown great
antidiabetic potentials, the activities of some still remain
to be scientifically established. Ethanolic extracts of
Cucumis sativa (cucumber) have been reported to have
hypoglycaemic effects on alloxan induced diabetic rats
through a mechanism similar to euglycaemic agents [24].
Results from related works done by Mahomed and
Ojewole.[25] and Andrade-Cetto and Wiedenfeld.[26] also
reported that cucumbers possess regulatory functions on
blood glucose concentration. In this study, we have
shown that cucumber can significantly (p<0.05) reduced
blood glucose concentration. Subjects who were given
either juice made with 400g of cucumber alone or in
combination with 400g of rice meal experienced
significant reduction in their blood glucose levels from
5.26 mmol/L and 5.36 mmol/L in the baseline subjects to
4.40 mmol/L and 4.35 mmol/L respectively in the 2-hour
post prandial subjects. Our finding is also line with

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Ebirien et al. European Journal of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences
previous studies by Lee et al. (2003)[27] where it was
shown that cucumber contain compounds known to be
responsible for the hypoglycemic activity of the plant.
The phytosterol which is a constituent of cucumber has
been shown to improve the control of blood sugar among
diabetics.[27] The possible mechanism by which
cucumber juice exert may exert hypoglycaemic effect
may be by potentiating the insulin effect of plasma by
causing a stimulation of insulin from the β- islet cells of
the pancreas [25]. Other pathways such as the stimulation
of peripheral glucose utilization, or enhancing glycolytic
and glycogenic processes with concomitant decrease in
glycogenolysis and gluconeogenesis may also be
involved [26]. The presence phytonutrients found in
cucumber such as flavonoids and tannins which have
been reported to cause regeneration of damaged
pancreatic islets, stimulate cacium and glucose uptake
may also contribute to the antihyperglycaemic effect of
cucumber.[28]
It has also been reported by other researchers that
cucumis sativus are found as suitable food for medicinal
purpose against some diseases such as diabetes mellitus,
hyperlipidaemia, hypertension, gall bladder stones and
constipation in Asian traditional remedies [29,30]. Several
studies have revealed that high dietary consumption of
potassium and magnesium is associated with reduced
blood pressure [31]. In this study, we observed a decrease
in both the systolic and diastolic blood pressure in
participants in groups 1 to 4 although the variation in the
means between the participants before the cucumber
juice was taken and those observed after 2-hour post
prandial were not significant (p> 0.05). The thinking is
that increasing the quantity of cucumber in the juice
could result in significant decrease in the blood pressure
of hypertensive subjects. Furthermore, individual
variations and other factors such as the genetic
composition of the individuals may have also contributed
to the delay in significant reasonable reduction in the
blood pressure of the subjects.[32,33]
CONCLUSION
The results revealed that cucumber has hypoglycaemic
and anti-diabetic effects since an intake of an increased
dose or at concentrations of 400g caused a significant
change in blood glucose concentration. It also showed
that an intake of cucumber could have significant effect
on blood pressure if taken in higher quantity for a
considerable period of time
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
We thank the Dean, Faculty of Science, Prof. Valentine
Omubor Pepple and the Head of Department of Medical
Laboratory Science, Rivers State University of Science
and Technology for their assistance in ensuring that
ethical permission was granted to enable us access the
students within the Department and Faculty for the
purpose of this study.
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