Antihyperglycemic effect of Derris reticulata Craib extract in alloxan-induced diabetic rats

The global prevalence of diabetes mellitus (DM), a metabolic disorder characterized by chronic hyperglycemia, has been estimated to be increasing worldwide [1]. It is known that the present synthetic drugs available for treatment of DM can cause several undesirable side effects. As recommended by WHO, the quest for effective and safer antidiabetic plant drugs is an important topic [2]. In Thailand, Derris reticulata Craib (DC) which belongs to Leguminosae family has been traditionally used for diabetic treatment. However, limited scientific data are available. The aim of this work was to investigate the antihyperglycemic potential of the aqueous extract from DC stem in alloxan-induced diabetic rats. The result showed that administration of DC extract at the daily dose of 250mg/kg for 15 consecutive days significantly decreased fasting blood glucose levels compared with diabetic control group. More groß pathological lesions were found on the pancreas of diabetic control rats than that of DC-treated rats. An association between antioxidant property and antihyperglycemic activity of plant extract has been reported [3]. Total phenolic content and the IC50 of antioxidant potential against DPPH radical of the extract were 78.84±0.01mg gallic acid equivalent/g and 239.85±0.13µg/ml respectively. In conclusion, the DC extract exerts antidiabetogenic effect which may be associated with its antioxidant-mediated pancreatic protection.

Keywords: diabetes mellitus, Derris reticulata, antioxidant

References: 1. Wild S et al. (2004) Diabetes Care 27:1047–1053.

2. Gupta S et al. (2009)J Ethnopharmacol 123: 499–503.

3. Alarcon-Aguilar FJ et al. (2010)J Ethnopharmacol 132:400–407.