Anti-diabetic properties of root extracts of Ruellia tuberosa L: Effects on serum enzyme activity

This study aims to determine the anti-diabetic properties of the root extracts of Ruellia tuberosa L to enzymes (amylase, protease, and lipase) activities in serum of diabetic rats. Rats were divided into five groups: Control, diabetic, and treatment groups with doses of 250, 375, and 500 mg/kg body weights. All treatment groups received root extracts of R. tuberosa L for 21 days by oral administration. Results from LC-MS study revealed that the flavonoids compounds including sorbifolin, cirsimaritin, cirsimarin, and cirsiliol 4'-glucoside, were detected in the extracts. The animal study results showed decreases in blood glucose levels by 54.56%, 37.70%, and 16.79%, for treatment doses of 250, 375, and 500 mg/kg body weights, respectively. All enzymes activities increased in diabetic rats, and after treatment the enzyme activities decreased. The decreases in protease activity were 52%, 36%, and 20% for doses of 250, 375, and 500 mg/kg body weights, respectively. In addition, the amylase and lipase activities also showed similar trends with decreasing activities to 63% and 51%, 42% and 37%, 16% and 21%, for treatment doses of 250, 375, and 500 mg/kg body weights, respectively.