The effects of Aquilaria malaccensis leaf extracts on blood glucose level, kidney profile and liver function in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats

Zulkifle, N. L., Shaari, M. R , Omar, N. A. M. and Tajuddin, S. N.

Abstract
Diabetes mellitus is clinically defined as hyperglycemia or an abnormality caused due to increased glucose intake and a disordered metabolism. Aquilaria malaccensis has been shown its beneficial effects in reduction of postprandial glucose intake. Overall, the aim of this study was to evaluate the antidiabetic effects of A. malaccensis methanolic and aqueous leaf extracts on Streptozotocin-induced (STZ-induced) diabetic rats.The STZ-induced diabetic rat model was used to compare the effect of 500 mg/kg A. malaccensis methanolic and aqueous leaf extracts on blood glucose levels as compared to the standard drug 500 mg/kg metformin. Treatment with A. malaccensis methanolic and aqueous leaves extracts of 500 mg/kg body weight for 5 days resulted in a significant (p <0.05) decrease in blood glucose level, with percentage of glucose lowering effects of 57.08% and 55.48%, respectively, compared to metformin, which showed a percentage of glucose lowering effects of 68.79%. Furthermore, the biochemical parameters assessment on diabetic rats treated with both extracts showed that the extract did not enhance damage in serum protein. This could suggest that the extracts did not cause any significant damage in the internal organs such as liver and kidneys. These findings indicated that A. malaccensis methanolic and aqueous extracts have the potential to lower blood glucose levels without causing harm to the animals and could be used as a supplementary food in the management of diabetes mellitus.

Keywords: antidiabetic, Aquilaria malaccensis, streptozotocin, Sprague-Dawley, hyperglycemia

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