Study: The potential therapeutic value of Brucea javanica seeds in treating Type 2 diabetes

The seeds of Brucea javanica, also known as “melada pahit” in the Indo-Malay region has potential therapeutic value in treating Type 2 diabetes. The findings of the research, published in BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine, were derived from studying fractionated hydroethanolic extracts of B. javanica seeds, in particular, to determine its anti-diabetic, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant activities.

• Researchers tested B. javanica seeds on mice that have been given nicotinamide and streptozotocin to simulate Type 2 diabetes.
• The hydroethanolic extracts of B. javanica seeds were fractionated with n-hexane, chloroform, and ethyl acetate. These were then screened to test for the ability to suppress α-glucosidase and glycogen phosphorylase α.
• The team tested the active fractions in vivo using Type 2 diabetes rat models. During the experiment, the team recorded blood glucose and body weight for four weeks. Afterward, they studied resultant data such as serum insulin, lipid profile, renal function, liver glycogen, and biomarkers of oxidative stress and inflammation. This was compared with standard drug glibenclamide.
• Results showed that the ethyl acetate fraction of B. javanica seeds had the best anti-diabetes property, with its ability to better inhibit α-glucosidase and glycogen phosphorylase α than other fractions. It also revealed the presence of active compounds in B. javanica seeds, of which luteolin had the best anti-diabetes activity.
• In vivo studies also found that the ethyl acetate fraction reduced blood glucose level and improved insulin and glycogen contents. It also decreased markers of oxidative stress and inflammation and lipid levels.

The findings revealed that ethyl acetate fraction of B. javanica seeds could be used to treat Type 2 diabetes by inhibiting α-glucosidase and glycogen phosphorylase α.

Read the full study of the text at this link.

Learn more about medicinal plants to manage diabetes at Herbs.news today.

Journal Reference:

Ablat A, Halabi MF, Mohamad J, Hasnan MHH, Hazni H, Teh SH, Shilpi JA, Mohamed Z, Awang K. ANTIDIABETIC EFFECTS OF BRUCEA JAVANICA SEEDS IN TYPE 2 DIABETIC RATS. BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine. 2017;17. (94). 10.1186/s12906-017-1610-x