The potentiality of Stevia leaves and turmeric roots as remedies against diabetes mellitus type 2 was tested in this study. Stevia leaves and turmeric roots were extracted with ethanol: water (80: 20 v/v) and analyzed by HPLC. Turmeric extract (TUE) was rich in; curcumin, gallic acid and eugenol. Stevia extract (STE) contained 28 known compounds, including glycosides, aromatic organic acids and catechin. Fifty rats were divided into 5 groups (10 rats each); the control group were fed with feed and water ad libitum. Forty rats were injected a single dose of alloxan, then treated with either 10 mg/kg glibenclamide (GLI), 300 mg/kg STE or 200 mg/kg TUE or water (positive control) through daily gastric oral gavages for 56 days. Treating diabetic rats with TUE significantly reduced serum glucose and glycated hemoglobin down to the negative control levels. Both GLI and STE produced similar but less effective actions. Animals treated with either STE or TUE exhibited reduced levels of liver and kidney markers compared to the negative control, while GLI increased them significantly. It could be concluded that turmeric roots and stevia leaves extracts can be used treatment for type 2 diabetes. |
