Evaluation of the Blood Glucose-Lowering Effect of the Aqueous Leaf Extract of

Background and Objective: Diabetes, a prevalent metabolic disorder characterized by hyperglycemia primarily due to insulin action and secretion, poses significant health challenges, particularly in low to medium-income countries such as the Philippines. Methods: Diabetes was induced in thirty male ICR mice via intraperitoneal administration of alloxan mono-hydrate (200 mg/kg) dissolved in 0.9% Normal Saline. The mice were divided into five groups (n=6), Group I: negative control (distilled water), Group II: reference standard glibenclamide (4 mg/kg): Groups III-V: three doses of ALQa (125, 250, and 500 mg/kg) via oral gavage. A glucometer was used to monitor the fasting blood glucose levels at 0, 1-, 2-, 6-, and 24-hour post-administration. Results: Administration of alloxan monohydrate increased the FBS in the treated group to diabetic levels of >200 mg/dL. The treatment of diabetic mice with ALQa extract significantly reduced fasting blood sugar (FBS) levels in a dose-dependent manner with the highest dose of ALQa (500 mg/kg) having glucose-lowering effects comparable to glibenclamide beginning with the 2-hour mark until 24-hour post-intervention. The mean FBS at 0-hour (baseline) and 1-hour post-intervention were similar for all the groups. However, there was an increase in the mean FBS of the negative control group treated with distilled water in the first hour while there was already a decrease in the FBS of those allocated to glibenclamide and the three doses of ALQa. At both the second and 6-hour mark post-intervention, the mean FBS of the mice treated with ALQa 250 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg was comparable to glibenclamide. Finally, at the 24 Conclusions: The aqueous extract of