Hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic effects of <it>Bersama engleriana</it> leaves in nicotinamide/streptozotocin-induced type 2 diabetic rats

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The present investigation was aimed at evaluating the hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic properties of the aqueous and methanolic extracts from <it>Bersama engleriana</it> leaves in streptozotocin/nicotinamide (STZ-NA)-induced type 2 diabetic rats.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Animals were orally treated for 4 consecutive weeks with <it>Bersama engleriana</it> extracts at doses of 300 or 600 mg/kg. The anti-diabetic effect was examined by measuring blood glucose (BG) at 0, 1, 14 and 28 days after STZ-NA treatment and, total cholesterol (TC), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and triglycerides (TG) levels at sacrifice (day 29). Glibenclamide (0.25 mg/kg) was used for comparison.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>STZ-NA-induced diabetic rats showed moderate to significant increases in the levels of BG, TG, TC, LDL-C while body weight, HDL-C levels and relative weights of liver and pancreas were decreased compared to controls (non diabetic rats). Administration of the plant extracts to STZ-NA diabetic rats resulted in a significant decrease in BG, TG, TC and LDL-C and the dose 600 mg/kg of the methanolic extract was the most effective; HDL-C level was markedly increased after four weeks compared to untreated diabetic rats. A dose-dependent increase in the relative weights of the diabetogenic organs was observed in the <it>Bersama engleriana</it> groups. It can be also noticed that the methanolic extract, especially the dose 600 mg/kg (p<0.001), produced more effects than glibenclamide and aqueous extract. Rats treated with glibenclamide (0.25 mg/kg) generally gave lower results compared to groups treated with plant extracts.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Results of the present study showed that <it>Bersama engleriana</it> extracts and especially its methanolic extract possess antidiabetogenic properties and beneficial effects on diabetic hyperlipidemia. All these effects could be due to the bioactive components revealed in the <it>Bersama engleriana</it> extracts such as triterpenes and phenols and which could justify its ethnomedical use.</p