Abstract

Lowering blood glucose effect of Azadirachta excelsa leaves extract in alloxan induced diabetic rats

Author(s): S.Nurdiana, K.Mohamad Shukri, J.Elizabeth Jega, S.Nurul 'Izzati

Plant-based remedies have been used to treat numerous diseases for thousands of years in various parts of the world. Azadirachta excelsa or sentang traditionally used by Malay as an agent for lowering blood glucose. The study was designed to evaluate the antidiabetic properties of this plant by measuring the plasma blood glucose level, the percentage of HbA1c and the plasma insulin level. Thirty two Sprague dawley ratswere divided into four groups which received different treatments. The first and second groups served as positive and negative control were treated with saline respectivelywhile the rats in the third group were receivedmetformin. The fourth group was treated with ethanolic extract of A. excelsa. After 14 days of treatment, the plant extract was significantly reduced the fasting blood glucose and the concentration of HbA1c in diabetic rats by 72.89% and 6.58% respectively. The plasma insulin in diabetic rats was also significantly increased after treated with plant extract. These results suggest that the ethanolic extract of A. excelsa possess antidiabetic activity by improving the insulin secretion, with consequent decrease in the level of plasma blood glucose and HbA1c.