Preclinical evaluation of the antidiabetic effect of Eugenia jambolana seed powder in streptozotocin-diabetic rats

Abstract

The world is facing an explosive increase in the incidence of diabetes mellitus and cost-effective complementary therapies are needed. The effects of Eugenia jambolana, a household remedy for diabetes, were studied. Streptozotocin diabetic female albino Wistar rats weighing 150-200 g (N = 6) were fed E. jambolana seed powder (250, 500 or 1000 mg/kg) for 15 days. Diabetic rats fed 500 and 1000 mg/kg seed powder showed an increase in body weight on day 20 in relation to day 5 (6 ± 4.7, 9 ± 7.8 vs diabetic control -16 ± 7.1 g, P < 0.001), a decrease in fasting blood glucose (75 ± 11.9, 123 ± 14.4 vs diabetic control -34 ± 12.1 mg/dl, P < 0.001), a difference in post-treatment fasting and peak blood glucose (38 ± 11.9, 36 ± 14.2 vs diabetic control 78 ± 11.9 mg/dl, P < 0.001), and a difference in liver glycogen (50 ± 6.8, 52 ± 7.5 vs normal control 90 ± 6.6 µg/g of liver tissue, P < 0.001). Tri-terpenoids, tannins, gallic acid, and oxalic acid were the chemical constituents detected in E. jambolana seed. The best results were obtained with an oral dose of 500 mg/kg. Subacute toxicity studies with a single administration of 2.5 and 5.0 g/kg seed powder showed no mortality or abnormality. These data on the antidiabetic effect of E. jambolana seed are adequate for approval of phase 2 clinical trials to evaluate this seed powder as complementary therapy in type 2 and type 1 diabetes.

Antidiabetic and in vitro antioxidant potential of Hybanthus enneaspermus (Linn) F. Muell in streptozotocin–induced diabetic rats

“…Such a phenomenon of less hypoglycemic response at higher doses was also observed in some indigenous plants like Aegle marmelose, Murraya koenigii, and Vinca rosea [24] . It is reported that flavonoid-rich extract results in the significant reduction of peak level of sugar within 2 h time thus strengthens the antidiabetogenic potentiality of AHE [25] .…”

The toxicity evaluation of Syzygium cumini leaves in rodents

“…With reference to the glycemia, the studies that were performed with seeds, fruit and bark of Syzygium cumini, following several different experimental patterns, demonstrated the hypoglycemic and anti-hyperglycemic effects (Achrekar et al, 1991;Ravi et al, 2004;Sharma et al, 2003;Sridhar et al, 2005;Villasenor & Lamadrid, 2006). Nevertheless, investigations carried out in Brazil have shown that the leaves and the fruits of Syzygium cumini did not have effect on diabetes (Pepato et al, 2005;Teixeira et al, 1990;Teixeira et al, 1997;Teixeira et al, 2000).…”

Jamun (&lt;i&gt;Syzygium cumini &lt;/i&gt;(L.)): A Review of Its Food and Medicinal Uses

“…jambolana leaf extract showed hypoglycemic action in diabetic rats [30]. The seed powder of E. jambolana is reported to have hypoglycemic action in streptozotocindiabetic rats [31,32]. Its effect may be persistent, as in one study, homeostasis was maintained in the rats for two weeks after the cessation of treatment [32].…”