Planta Med 2011; 77 - PF17
DOI: 10.1055/s-0031-1282405

The study of hypoglycemic effects of the Morus alba L. leaf extract and histology of the pancreatic islet cells in diabetic and normal rats

S Saenthaweesuk 1, A Thuppia 1, P Rabintossaporn 1, K Ingkaninan 2, S Sireeratawong 1
  • 1Department of Preclinical Science, Faculty of Medicine, Thammasat University, Rangsit Campus, Khlong Luang, Pathum Thani, 12120 Thailand
  • 2Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Science, Naresuan University, Muang, Pitsanuloke, 65000 Thailand

The objectives of this study were to evaluate the hypoglycemic effects and histological changes of pancreatic islets after receiving water extract of Morus alba L. leaf in normal and diabetic rats. Diabetes was induced by injection of streptozotocin (STZ, 45mg/kg) intraperitoneally. All diabetic rats were divided into 5 groups, each of which was orally received one of the following; vehicle, glibenclamide and leaf extract (150, 300 and 600mg/kg) for 12 days. The results showed that the leaf extract at the doses of 300 and 600mg/kg significantly (p<0.05) reduced blood glucose levels in diabetic rats. Moreover, the study of Morus alba leaf extract in decreasing of acute hyperglycemic effect was undertaken by oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) which revealed that the leaf extract could not reduce blood glucose levels in acute hyperglycemia in both diabetic and normal rats. The histological examination of pancreas showed that all doses of leaf extract could recover the damaged islet cells in diabetic rats in a dose dependent manner. The pancreatic islets of diabetic rats receiving the extract were larger and the cells within the islets were rounder and less congestive when compared to diabetic control rats. Conclusion, the results of this study suggested that Morus alba leaf extract could reduce blood glucose levels and improve the histological features of pancreatic islets in diabetic rats.

Acknowledgement: This research was financially supported by Faculty of Medicine, Thammasat University Research Fund.