Planta Med 2014; 80 - P2B102
DOI: 10.1055/s-0034-1394979

Anti-diabetic activity and acute toxicity of Thai traditional herbal formula, Mathura Meha aqueous extract

K Chayarop 1, R Temsiririrkkul 1, P Peungvicha 2, Y Wongkrajang 2, W Chuakul 1, P Rojsanga 3
  • 1Department of Pharmaceutical Botany, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mahidol University, 447 Sri-Ayuthaya Road., Rajathevi, 10400 Bangkok, Thailand
  • 2Department of Physiology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mahidol University, 447 Sri-Ayuthaya Road., Rajathevi, 10400 Bangkok, Thailand
  • 3Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Mahidol University, 447 Sri-Ayuthaya Road., Rajathevi, 10400 Bangkok, Thailand

Thai traditional anti-diabetic herbal formula, Mathura Meha, composed of 26 Thai medicinal plants, has been used as alternative and complementary medicine for diabetes treatment in Wang-nam-yen hospital, a model hospital of Thai traditional medicine established by Ministry of Public Health. It is interesting that the formula could control blood glucose level of patients who didn't respond to conventional hypoglycemic drugs or insulin injection. To provide scientific evidences of efficacy and safety of this herbal formula, in vivo anti-diabetic activity and acute toxicity were investigated. The herbal formula was extracted by 3 different methods, percolation with 80% and 50% ethanol, and water decoction. Single dose oral administration experiments [1] revealed that among 3 extracts, aqueous extract was the most effective one. It significantly decreased plasma glucose level of streptozotocin-nicotinamide induced diabetic rats [2] at a dose of 50 mg/kg during oral glucose tolerant test (OGTT). Daily oral administration of 25 and 50 mg/kg aqueous extract for 2 weeks [1] significantly lowered 2 hours postprandial plasma glucose level (2h-PPG) of diabetic rats for 8.97% and 11.51%, respectively. There were no sign or symptom of toxicity observed after oral administration of aqueous extract (5 g/kg) to 5 male and female rats for 24 hours and no mortality was observed up to 14 days [1]. This result confirms the safety of herbal formula water extract utilization.

Keywords: Thai, traditional medicine, herbal formula, Mathura Meha, anti-diabetic activity, acute toxicity

References:

[1] Krisanapun C, Peungvicha P, Temsiririrkkul R, Wongkrajang Y. Aqueous extract of Abutilon indicum Sweet inhibits glucose absorption and stimulates insulin secretion in rodents. Nutr Res 2009; 29: 579 – 587.

[2] Masiello P, Broca C, Gross R, Roye M, Manteghetti M, Hillaire-Buys D, et al. Experimental NIDDM: development of a new model in adult rats administered streptozotocin and nicotinamide. Diabetes 1998; 47(2): 224 – 229.