003: Pre-Clinical Evaluation of the Aqueous Extract of Sesbania Grandiflora (Katuray) as Hypoglycemic Agent

Abstract

Background Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a chronic multisystem disease related to abnormal insulin production, impaired insulin utilization, or both. Despite of the progress in synthetic chemistry and biotechnology, plants are still an indispensable source of medicinal preparations both preventive and curative. In the Philippines, over 1,020 medicinal plants were documented and ten among those were recommended by the DOH, unfortunately, Sesbaniagrandiflora (L.) Pers (Katuray) is not included among the ten medicinal plants recommended. Further, there is no specific basis that will justify the medicinal use of Sesbaniagrandiflora (L.) Persflowers in the treatment of diabetes. Objectives This study aimed to investigate the hypoglycemic activity of the Aqueous Extract of Sesbaniagrandiflora(L.) Pers (Katuray) flowers among nonhuman primates (Philippine Macaque/MacacafascicularisPhilippinensis) which is said to have a close genetic relationship to human. Methods The researchers utilized the true experimental research. Four MacacafascicularisPhilippinensis served as the subjects of the study. The test animals were induced with Alloxan Monohydrate that causes hyperglycemia. Baseline data of RBS, FBS and HbA1c was taken prior to the induction of Alloxan Monohydrate. Blood glucose monitoring was done for the period of 1 week.Administration of Insulin and tea fractionate (Aqueous Extract) of SesbaniaGrandiflora(L.) Pers(Katuray) flowers were done on the 4th day where the highest RBS was noted. Blood samples were obtained from the saphenous and cephalic veins of the non-anesthetized subjects. The blood samples were sent to the laboratory for analysis and interpretation. The data were clinically interpreted based on the normal values of the laboratory tests conducted.