Effects of Strobilanthes crispus Tea Aqueous Extracts on Glucose and Lipid Profile in Normal and Streptozotocin-Induced Hyperglycemic Rats

Abstract

Strobilanthes crispus (Acanthaceae) has been used traditionally as antidiabetic, diuretic, antilytic, and laxative and has been proven scientifically to possess high antioxidant activity, anti-AIDS, and anticancer properties. It is commonly consumed in the form of herbal tea. The ethnopharmacological value of this plant, such as the development of nutraceutical S. crispus herbal tea (fermented and unfermented) and assessment of their antihyperglycemic properties were investigated. The antidiabetic properties of S. crispus fermented and unfermented tea was carried out in normal and streptozotocin-induced hyperglycaemic rats for 21 days. Glucose and lipid profile (total cholesterol, triglyceride, HDL-cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol) were determined at day 0 (baseline), day 7, and day 21. The results showed that the hot water extract of both fermented and unfermented S. crispus tea reduced blood glucose in hyperglycaemic rats. S. crispus unfermented tea also reduced glucose level in normal rat. Both fermented and unfermented S. crispus tea also showed to improve lipid profile. Antioxidant and polyphenol content that present in the extracts might contribute to the antihyperglycemic and antilipidemic properties. Further study is needed to be carried out in pre-clinical and clinical environment to prove its efficacy in human.

Phytotherapy in diabetes: Review on potential mechanistic perspectives

“…The antioxidant effect of the herbal hot water extract (fermented and unfermented) contributed possibly to its and polyphenol contents [212] . Clinically, the valuable antioxidant effect of the herbal medicine, Silybum marianum seed extract (silymarin), was confirmed in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, clinical study of 51 type Ⅱ diabetic patients [213] , where this extract induced a marked improvement in the glycemic profile of these patients.…”

Animal models to test drugs with potential antidiabetic activity

“…Due to the nonspecific action of compounds isolated from extracts of natural products, some studies have aggregated additional in vitro protocols to the in vivo studies such as liver perfusion to evaluate glucose influx inhibition (Chung et al, 2006), gastrointestinal absorption methodologies and antioxidant enzymatic systems, liver glycogen level, among others (Babu et al, 2006;Fadzelly et al, 2006;McAnuff-Harding et al, 2006). These protocols contribute to extend the analysis of the antidiabetic effects of a certain natural product.…”

Immunomodulatory effect of leaf extract ofMurraya koenigiiin diabetic mice

“…It is higher in developed than in developing countries. (1) Therefore, it is necessary to search for a natural alternative remedies rather than traditional therapy, especially for developing country. Plant products are the major source of medicine for diabetes in India and other part of the world since ancient times.…”