The Antihyperglycemic Effect of Crude Liang (Gnetum gnemon var. tenerum) Leaves Powder on Wistar Rats

Abstract

Chlorophyll and chlorophyllin (CHL) demonstrated antidiabetic activity by inhibiting gluconeogenesis and increasing glucose uptake in rats' muscle cells. Liang leaves contain high amounts of chlorophyll and chlorophyllin and may provide an antidiabetic effect. The antidiabetic activity of chlorophyll and CHL contained in Liang leaves, Cu-chlorophyllin (CCL) Liang leaves treated with CuSO₄, and untreated crude Liang leaves (CLL) were compared using commercial chlorophyllin (CHL) as a reference. Twelve Wistar male rats were separated into 4 groups (3 rats/group); the first was a normal one (based line group), the second were the diabetic rats treated with CHL, while the third and the fourth were the diabetic rats treated with 0.97 g/kg of CCL and CLL, respectively. Diabetic rats were induced by a high fructose diet, before being taken to administer commercial CHL, CCL, and CLL for 7 days. Nonfasting blood glucose and body weight were checked daily. After euthanasia, organ weight, biochemical, hematological, and histopathological properties were evaluated. CCL treatment showed no antihyperglycemic activity in the rat model but caused some biochemical abnormalities and thrombocytopenia. Commercial CHL gave a higher reduction of nonfasting blood glucose (NFBG) than Liang leaves powder CCL or CLL but also showed some signs of abnormal biochemical parameters. CLL exhibited an antihyperglycemic effect, with higher body weight and increased HDL/LDL ratio and thus could be a promising alternative natural source for diabetes treatment.

Figure 1

Antihyperglycemic study showing change of NFBG level in screening test study. Different uppercase letters indicate significant differences within a group (P  <  0.05). Different lowercase letters indicate significant differences within a day (P  <  0.05). Non-DM is the normal rat group; DM/CHL is the diabetic rat group treated with 100 mg/kg of commercial chlorophyllin powder; DM/CCL is the diabetic rat group treated with 0.97 g/kg of Cu-chlorophyllin Liang leaves powder; DM/CLL is the diabetic rat group treated with 0.97 g/kg of crude Liang leaves powder.

Figure 2

Effects of different treated groups on the body weight of rats. Different uppercase letters indicate mean significant differences within a group. Different lowercase letters indicate significant differences within a day (P  <  0.05). Non-DM is the normal rats administered with only distilled water; CHL commercial is the diabetic rats treated with 100 mg/kg of commercial chlorophyllin powder; Liang with CuSO₄ is the diabetic rats treated with 0.97 g/kg of Cu-chlorophyllin Liang leaves powder; crude Liang is the diabetic rats treated with 0.97 g/kg of crude Liang leaves powder.

Figure 3

Hematoxylin and eosin staining of kidney (a–d) showing interstitial edema (E), tubular degeneration (D), and pyknosis (P) and liver (e–h) showing hepatocyte hypertrophy (H), karyolysis (K), pyknosis (P), and central vein (CV). Non-DM is the normal rats administered only distilled water; DM/CHL is the diabetic rats treated with 100 mg/kg of commercial chlorophyllin powder; DM/CCL is the diabetic rats treated with 0.97 g/kg of Cu-chlorophyllin Liang leaves powder; DM/CLL is the diabetic rats treated with 0.97 g/kg of crude Liang leaves powder.