Antidiabetic activity of the mangrove species Ceriops decandra in alloxan-induced diabetic rats

Background: Diabetes is a series of disorders characterized by increased fasting and postprandial glucose concentration and insulin deficiency and/or decreased insulin action. Although there are a number of commercially available drugs for the treatment of diabetes, their long-term use may cause unwanted side effects. Consequently, many studies are underway to find natural remedies that can effectively reduce the intensity of diabetes. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the antidiabetic activity of the mangrove species Ceriops decandra. Methods: The effects of daily oral administration of an ethanolic extract from the leaves of C. decandra (30, 60, 120 mg/kg) for 30 days on blood glucose, hemoglobin (Hb), HbA1c, liver glycogen and some carbohydrate metabolic enzymes were evaluated in normal and alloxan-induced diabetic rats. The effects of these extracts were compared with the effect of 30-days treatment with 0.1 mg/kg, p.o., glibenclamide, a commercially available drug commonly used in the treatment of diabetes. Results: Oral administration of 120 mg/kg extract modulated all the parameters evaluated to levels seen in control rats. The effects of 120 mg/kg extract were comparable to those of glibenclamide. Conclusion: The extract of the mangrove plant C. decandra exhibited promising antidiabetic activity and could be considered for further evaluation in clinical studies and drug development.