Evaluation of antidiabetic activity of Morus nigra L. and Bauhinia variegata L. leaves as Egyptian remedies used for the treatment of diabetes

Morus nigra and Bauhinia variegata are used in the Egyptian folk medicine for their hypoglycemic effects. The standardized ethanolic extracts of both plants caused a significant decrease in fasting blood glucose level at two different doses (250 and 500 mg/kg) in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats' model. Further, in vitro antioxidant activity and alpha-glucosidase inhibition assays were conducted as well as the measurement of insulin levels and the biomarkers for both liver and kidney functions in the treated animals. Beneficiary effects of BMLE and BVLE in the treatment of diabetes were found not to be limited to hypoglycemic effect but included preventing liver and kidney tissue damage that are associated with diabetes. A strong inhibition of the alpha-glucosidase enzyme by both extracts may be a contributing mechanism in the overall anti-diabetic effect that was observed. Further detailed study is needed in the future to explore the mechanism of action of both plants. [GRAPHICS] .

Automated summary

Morus nigra and Bauhinia variegata have hypoglycemic effects in Egyptian folk medicine. The extracts of both plants showed significant effects in reducing blood glucose levels in diabetic rats, beyond just hypoglycemic effects, including prevention of liver and kidney tissue damage associated with diabetes.