Myrmecodia platytyrea Methanol Tuber Extract Ameliorates Hyperglycemia In STZ-Induced Diabetic Sprague-Dawley Male Rats

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is one of the main non-communicable, chronic diseases that has many complications, compromising the quality of life. Hence, there is a need to find alternatives to replace the current therapy or as an adjuvant. Tubers of Myrmecodia platytytrea (Rubiaceae) has been used traditionally as an alternative therapy for the management of cancer and other inflammatory disorders. This study aimed to investigate the potency of M. platytytrea methanolic tuber extract (MPMTE) as an antihyperglycemic agent, in vivo. Streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats were treated orally with MPMTE (100, 200, and 400mg/kg) and metformin (positive control, 100mg/kg) daily for 14 days. Blood glucose level and other biochemical parameters including inflammatory biomarkers, insulin, and c-peptide levels were analyzed. Besides those, histological examinations on the liver, kidney, and pancreas were done. The STZ-induced diabetic rats treated with MPMTE (200 and 400mg/kg) had significant decreases (p<0.05) in fasting blood glucose, total cholesterol, triglycerides, and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and no significant changes in high-density lipoprotein (HDL) compared to STZ-induced untreated diabetic rats. MPMTE was able to increase IGF-1, insulin, and C-peptide levels while reducing the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, TNF-alpha, and IL-6 in hyperglycemic rats compared to the normoglycemic rats. The liver, kidney, and pancreas were devoid of any damage caused by the STZ. MPMTE had strong antihyperglycemic activity and can reduce pro-inflammatory cytokines in STZ-induced rats while improving the regulation of beta-cells. Also, MPMTE was protective against any STZ-induced organ damage. Thus, MPMTE can be further developed into adjuvant therapy for diabetic patients.