Abstract
BACKGROUND: The leaves of Bersama abyssinica are used for the treatment of diabetes mellitus in folk medicine system of Ethiopia. The present study was done based on the traditional claim of B abyssinica for the treatment of diabetes mellitus. METHODS: The α-amylase inhibition and antioxidant activities of B abyssinica extracts were evaluated by using 3,5-dinitrosalicylic acid method and diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl assay model, respectively. Blood glucose lowering activity of the extracts was studied in 4 animal models; normoglycemic, oral glucose loaded, and streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice models. RESULTS: Among the extracts, the crude extract showed the highest α-amylase enzyme inhibition activity with an IC(50) of 6.57 μg/mL. The water fraction showed the strongest antioxidant activity with an IC(50) of 3.43 μg/mL. The crude extract at doses of 200, and 400 mg/kg showed significant (P < .05) hypoglycemic activity in normoglycemic mice. All doses of the crude extract significantly (P < .05) reduced blood glucose levels of oral glucose-loaded mice. In streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice models, both the crude and solvent fractions showed a significant (P < .05) blood glucose lowering effect as compared with the negative control group post 8 hour treatment. CONCLUSION: The results demonstrated the beneficial biochemical effects of B abyssinica extract by inhibiting α-amylase and scavenging the free radicals. The crude extract and solvent fractions of B abyssinica had significant blood glucose lowering effect in all animal models.