Antidiabetic properties of Hibiscus rosa sinensis L. leaf extract fractions on nonobese diabetic (NOD) mouse.

On fractionation the ethanolic extract of H. rosa sinensis leaves, 5 fractions were obtained. Of these, fraction-3 (F3) and fraction-5 (F5) were chosen for detailed investigation on non obese diabetic (NOD) mouse to study anti-diabetic properties because they were more active than others. Serum glucose, glycosylated hemoglobin, triglyceride, cholesterol, blood urea, insulin, LDL, VLDL, and HDL were estimated. Both fractions F3 and F5 on oral feeding (100 and 200 mg/kg body weight) demonstrated insulinotropic nature and protective effect in NOD mice. These fractions may contain potential oral hypoglycemic agent.

Immunocytochemical detection of glucagon and insulin cells in endocrine pancreas and cyclic disparity of plasma glucose in the turtle Melanochelys trijuga.

The present investigation was carried out to know the seasonal variation in plasma glucose,insulin and glucagon cells during the reproductive cycle of untreated Melanochelys trijuga. Pancreatic endocrine cells were immunochemically localized.Insulin-immunoreactive (IR) cells occurred in groups of 3-20 and were in close apposition, while glucagon-IR cells were distributed individually between the exocrine pancreas or formed anastomosing cords where cells were not intimately attached. Whenever both IR cell types were present together forming an islet,insulin-IR cells formed clusters in the centre with glucagon-IR cells being scattered at the periphery. Glucagon-IR cells seemed to be secretory throughout the pancreas during the reproductive cycle,while insulin-IR cells were found to be pulsating in their secretion. Mean size of the islet was 1.306, 0.184 and 2.558 mm in the regenerative, reproductive and regressive periods,respectively. In general,insulin-IR cells measured 5.18 (mu)m and glucagon-IR cells 5.22 (mu)m in their longest axis. Invariably, glucagon-IR cells were more in number than insulin-IR cells. The fasting plasma glucose level was 69.97 mg% during the regenerative period, which increased to 97.96 mg% during the reproductive period,and reached a peak value of 113.52 mg% in the regressive period.

Evaluation of hypoglycemic effect of Morus alba in an animal model.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of the present investigation was to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of mulberry leaves in an animal model of diabetes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Animals were treated with mulberry leaf extract 400 mg and 600 mg/kg body weight for 35 days. Blood glucose, glycosylated hemoglobin, triglyceride, LDL, VLDL, HDL, blood urea, cholesterol, number of ß cells, and diameter of the islets of Langerhans were measured at the beginning and at the end of the experiment. RESULTS: Blood glucose level and other parameters (except HDL) were elevated in the diabetic group, but were brought to control group level in the diabetic group treated with 600 mg/kg body weight of mulberry leaf extract. The diameter of the islets and the number of ß cells were reduced in the diabetic group; both parameters were brought to control group level after treatment with mulberry leaf extract. CONCLUSION: Mulberry leaf extract, at a dose of 600 mg/kg body weight, has therapeutic effects in diabetes-induced Wistar rats and can restore the diminished ß cell numbers.