Antidiabetic Properties and Mechanism of Action of Gynura procumbens Water Extract in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rats

Abstract

Gynura procumbens (Lour.) Merr (family Compositae) is cultivated in Southeast Asia, especially Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand, for medicinal purposes. This study evaluated the in vivo hypoglycemic properties of the water extract of G. procumbens following 14 days of treatment and in vitro in RIN-5F cells. Glucose absorption from the intestines and its glucose uptake in abdominal skeletal muscle were assessed. The antidiabetic effect of water extract of G. procumbens leaves was investigated in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. The intraperitoneal glucose tolerance test (IPGTT) was performed in diabetic rats treated with G. procumbens water extract for 14 days. In the IPGTT, blood was collected for insulin and blood glucose measurement. After the IPGTT, the pancreases were collected for immunohistochemical study of β-cells of the islets of Langerhans. The possible antidiabetic mechanisms of G. procumbens were assessed through in vitro RIN-5F cell study, intestinal glucose absorption and glucose uptake by muscle. The results showed that G. procumbens significantly decreased blood glucose levels after 14 days of treatment and improved outcome of the IPGTT. However, G. procumbens did not show a significant effect on insulin level either in the in vivo test or the in vitro RIN-5F cell culture study. G. procumbens also showed minimal effects on β-cells of the islets of Langerhans in the pancreas. However, G. procumbens only significantly increased glucose uptake by muscle tissues. From the findings we can conclude that G. procumbens water extract exerted its hypoglycemic effect by promoting glucose uptake by muscles.

Gynura procumbens Leaf Improves Blood Glucose Level, Restores Fertility and Libido of Diabetic-Induced Male Rats

“…Zurina et al (2010) reported that different methods of plant extraction resulted in different outcome. It was found that 25% ethanolic extract of Gynura procumbens gave the best result in reducing blood glucose level.…”

“…It was found that 25% ethanolic extract of Gynura procumbens gave the best result in reducing blood glucose level. It was also found that the Gynura procumbens extract mimics the metformin mechanism (Algariri et al 2013) by increasing the glucose intake in the muscle cells (Zurina et al 2010). However, its potential in fertility on diabetic subjects remains hardly known.…”

Hypoglycemic and anti–hyperglycemic study of Gynura procumbens leaf extracts

“…Later on, Akowuah et al on the contrary indicated its glucose lowering effect in normal rats [4] . In the most recent study, the extract of G. procumbens was reported to produce significant elevation in the fasting blood glucose (FBG) levels of normal rats, but a decrease in diabetic rats [5] . There is a basic need to stream line these reports, given the widespread traditional use of G. procumbens.…”

Induction, characterization, and NMR-based metabolic profiling of adventitious root cultures from leaf explants of Gynura procumbens

“…Zhang and Tan (2000) discovered that leaf extracts of G. procumbens significantly suppressed the level of elevated serum glucose, and reduced serum cholesterol and triglyceride levels in diabetic rats. Akowuah et al (2002) and Hassan et al (2010) showed significant hypoglycaemic effect of G. procumbens leaf extracts in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. In addition, Akowuah et al (2002) isolated flavonol glycosides (e.g.…”