The antihyperglycemic activity of leaves of Leptadenia reticulata Wight & Arn. (Goan-kha) on adrenaline-induced hyperglycemic rats

Background: In Myanmar, the leaves of Leptadenia reticulata Wight & Arn. (locally known as Goan-kha) are traditionally used for their purported anti-hyperglycemic effects. However, scientific validation of these effects remains limited.

Objective: To evaluate the anti-hyperglycemic activity of a 70% ethanolic extract of Leptadenia reticulata Wight & Arn. leaves in an adrenaline-induced hyperglycemia model in rats.

Method: A laboratory-based experimental study was conducted using thirty Wistar rats (180–220 g), which were randomly assigned into five groups (n = 6 per group): a normal control group (received normal saline, 10 mL/kg), a positive control group (received glibenclamide, 4 mg/kg), and three test groups administered ethanolic extract of L. reticulata at doses of 150, 300, and 600 mg/kg body weight, respectively. All animals were fasted for 12 hours prior to treatment. Forty-five minutes after drug or extract administration, hyperglycemia was induced via subcutaneous injection of adrenaline (0.8 mg/kg) in all groups. Blood glucose levels were measured using a glucometer at baseline (fasting), and at 1, 2, 3, and 4 hours post-adrenaline injection.

Results: In the control group, mean blood glucose concentrations (mg/dL) at 1, 2, 3, and 4 hours post-adrenaline injection were 117.17 ± 20.38, 316.00 ± 77.24, 232.33 ± 48.36, 133.33 ± 21.31, and 106.83 ± 10.69, respectively. Significantly lower blood glucose levels were observed in all extract-treated groups compared to the normal saline group at all time points (p < 0.003, p < 0.018, p < 0.048, p < 0.003). An acute toxicity study following OECD Guideline 425 revealed no lethality at doses up to 2000 mg/kg. Phytochemical screening indicated the presence of flavonoids, alkaloids, saponins, tannins, phenols, carbohydrates, amino acids, and resins, whereas glycosides and steroids were absent.

Conclusion: The 70% ethanolic leaf extract of Leptadenia reticulata Wight & Arn. demonstrated significant short-term anti-hyperglycemic activity in adrenaline-induced hyperglycemic rats without observable toxicity, suggesting its potential as a supportive therapeutic agent for type 2 diabetes mellitus, particularly under stress-related hyperglycemic conditions.