Ameliorative Effect of Jamaican Cherry (Muntingia calabura L.) Leaf Extract Toward Glucose Control and Immune Cells Modulation in High Fat Diet-Administrated Mice

Abstract

Hyperglycemia is a dangerous condition in which too much glucose circulates in the blood plasma and is the leading cause of diabetes mellitus. It is a complex condition with varying degrees that can change over time, mainly owing to metabolic factors that reduce insulin secretion, decrease glucose use, and increase glucose production. This study aims to evaluate Muntingia calabura leaf extract's effect on glucose control and immune cell modulation in high-fat diet-administrated mice. According to the result, we found that M. calabura leaf extract significantly reduced the fasting blood sugar. Importantly, M. calabura leaf extract exerts immunomodulation effects by suppressing the relative number of regulatory T cells in the hypoglycemic mice model. Finally, this study showed M. calabura leaf extract exerts ameliorative potency against hyperglycemia by lowering the blood sugar level and suppressing the regulatory T cells. These results suggested that M. calabura leaf extract could develop into complementary and alternative medicine.