Effects of an ethanolic extract of Gynura procumbens on serum glucose, cholesterol and triglyceride levels in normal and streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.
OBJECTIVE
The aim was to demonstrate the effects of the leaves of Gynura procumbens (Lour.) Merr. on blood sugar and lipid levels in experimental animals.


METHODS
We obtained an ethanolic extract of the leaves of G. procumbens and monitored the effects of an oral administration of (i) different single doses of the extract on oral glucose tolerance in streptozotocin-induced diabetic and normal rats and (ii) fourteen doses over 7 days on serum cholesterol and triglyceride levels in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Metformin and glibenclamide were used as positive control drugs.


RESULTS
The extract, at single doses of 50, 150 and 300 mg/kg orally, significantly suppressed the elevated serum glucose levels in diabetic rats; 150 mg/kg was found to be the optimum hypoglycaemic dose. The extract however did not significantly suppress the elevated serum glucose levels in normal rats, unlike glibenclamide. Metformin, but not glibenclamide, improved glucose tolerance in the diabetic rats. When the optimum dose was given to diabetic rats for 7 days, the extract significantly reduced serum cholesterol and triglyceride levels in these rats.


CONCLUSIONS
These results indicate that the leaves of G. procumbens may have biguanide-like activity.
Zhang
X F
XF
Department of Pharmacology, National University of Singapore, Singapore.
Tan
B K
BK
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000818:Animals; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood*; D003921:Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental / Q000097:blood*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005951:Glucose Tolerance Test; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D008862:Microsomes, Liver / Q000378:metabolism; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010946:Plants, Medicinal / Q000737:chemistry; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D013311:Streptozocin; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood*
D001786:Blood Glucose; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents; D010936:Plant Extracts; D014280:Triglycerides; D013311:Streptozocin; D002784:Cholesterol