The proposed mechanism of action of Brucea javanica (L) Merr seed in experimentally diabetic rats

Abstract

Brucea javanica (L) Merr, locally called "Wali", is a plant traditionally used to treat diabetes mellitus by local people in Lombok. The people daily consumed the seed to control the blood glucose into normal level. However, the mechanism of action of Wali seed as antidiabetic agent was still unclear. Hence, in this study we investigate the proposed mechanism of action of Wali seed suspensed and ethanolic extract trough measuring the glycogen content in liver and muscles and observing the pancreatic histology of diabetic rats. Wali seed extract (dose 20 and 30 mg/kg BW) and suspense (25 and 50 mg/kg BW) have comparable antidiabetic activity with glibenclamide. Treatments of Wali seed extract and suspense showed dramatically higher glycogen level both in liver and muscles than all controls. Treatment with glibenclamide and Wali seed extract and suspense the pancreas to normal architecture, regeneration of β-cell and enhanced morphology of the β- cells in the islets of Langerhans. The proposed mechanism of action of Wali seed extract and suspense is by converting blood glucose to glycogen storage trough glycogenesis and by recovering the islets of Langerhans of pancreas damage.