IPB Researchers Utilize the Tree Bark and Leaves of Surian as Potential Blood Glucose Suppressor
Hyperglycemia is a condition experienced by people with diabetes mellitus where blood glucose levels exceed normal conditions (above 60-110 mg / Dl). Researchers from the Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Bogor Institute of Agriculture (IPB) Syamsul Falah explained that diabetes mellitus disease is a very serious health problem.
"Diabetes mellitus patients may experience chronic complications of nephropathy, neuropathy and retinopathy (impaired retinal eye), cardiovascular disorders and may cause hypertension due to free radicals produced during hyperglycemia. Commonly used synthesis drugs such as glibenclamide and akarbosa can lower blood sugar levels, but can cause side effects such as increased body weight even if the dose is not appropriate to result in hypoglycemia. Likewise akarbosa can have side effects such as diarrhea, bloating and stomach cramps that need to be limited, "he said.
Therefore it is necessary alternative medicine that does not cause side effects that endanger the body. One of the potential as a blood-glucose-lowering herbal plant is Surian.
"Leaves of Surian (Toona sinensis) in Taiwan is used as a vegetable, while in China herbal teas are used for antidiarrheal and anti-inflammatory. Some studies show that Surian leaf has antioxidant activity. While for antidiabetic, the research is still using animal models of mice and mouse that show possible alteration on lower blood glucose levels. Therefore the potential leaf Surian as anti-hyperglycemia is highly promising, "he said.
Syamsul and his co-authors Rori Theresia and Mega Safithri tried to test the bark extracts and leaf of Surian (Toona sinensis) in diabetic mice to determine the effects and benefits. From the experiment, the researchers found that the best dose of ethanol extract of bark and leaf of Surian which can lower blood glucose level is 150 mg / kg bb. Group of mice exposed to bark extract of 150 mg / kg bb had better anti hyperglycemic activity than other groups. This is indicated by the percentage decrease in blood glucose level of 72.83%.
"This activity is almost twice better than commercial glibenclamide drugs that lower blood glucose levels by 31.39%. The group of mice given bark extract of 150 mg / kg bb also has the ability to maintain body weight better than other extract groups and stable feed consumption during the research process, "he said.
He added that the content of phytochemicals in the leaves of flavonoids contained compounds that have role as to decrease blood glucose levels. "Further research on the bioactive components of Surian leaf and the mechanism of reducing glucose levels in the blood of diabetic rats induced by Streptozotocin," he said. (DMR)
