Antidiabetic effects of Cycas riuminiana leaf extracts on alloxan-induced diabetic ICR mice (Mus musculus L.)

Abstract

Background:The Philippines is one of the countries with high prevalence of diabetes mellitus. Although there are several drugs marketed to control it, there are unwanted side effects. Knowing this, alternative options have been sought for to control the disease. Aims and Objectives: To evaluate the effects of aqueous extracts of Cycas riuminiana on the blood glucose and cholesterol levels of alloxan-induced diabetic mice. Materials and Methods: Aqueous crude leaf extract from C. riuminiana was administered to 6 and 30 ICR mice (Mus musculus) to determine whether there are toxic effects and effects on the blood glucose and cholesterol levels, respectively. The 30 mice were divided into six groups and were either treated with double distilled water, glimepiride, or the C. riuminiana aqueous extract. Results: After performing the acute oral toxicity, there were no deaths signifying that the extracts may be safe to administer in mice. After 28 days of treatment, statistical analyses indicated that the treatment groups had anti-hyperglycemic effects on the diabetic mice. The high-dose group had the lowest mean blood glucose values, which surpassed the hypoglycemic effects of the positive control group, which was treated with glimepiride. Furthermore, there was no difference between the control and the treatment groups. On the other hand, blood cholesterol values of the treatment and control groups were within the normal range after the 28 days study. Conclusion: The results of the study shows that C. riuminiana leaves have antidiabetic properties by lowering glucose and cholesterol levels at doses between 250 and 1000 mg/kg body weight.

Alpha-amylase and Alpha-glucosidase Inhibitory Activities of Philippine Indigenous Medicinal Plants

“…Laishram et al, reported that ethyl acetate fruit extract of Cycas pectinata Buch.-Ham exhibited alphaglucosidase inhibitory activity with an IC 50 value of (42.82 ± 0.039µg/ml) 17 . Leaf extract of C. riuminiana also showed antidiabetic potential by lowering the blood glucose level in alloxan-induced diabetic ICR mice 18 . Folklorically, powdered roasted whole seeds of pitogo are mixed with coconut oil and applied to wounds, boils and itchy skin lesions-likewise, cf.…”