Comparative Analysis of Hypoglycemic Activity of Camias (Averrhoa Bilimbi L.), Guava (Psidium Guajava L.) and Macopa (Syzygium Samarangense) Leaf Extracts in Glucose-Treated Rats (Rattus Norvegicus)
CHAPTER I
INTRODUCTION
In the present time, the rate of proliferation of diabetic people is continuously and rapidly increasing. Further studies show that the number of diabetes cases worldwide has doubled since 1980 and is now at startling 350 million diabetics. (Laino, 2011). Diabetes is a lifelong disease in which the level of glucose in the blood is abnormally high. Connected to this is a condition called hyperglycemia. Hyperglycemia is the technical term for high blood glucose (sugar). High blood glucose occurs when the body can’t produce sufficient amount of insulin. And also, it can happen when the body can’t use insulin properly. (American Diabetes Association, 1995). In addition, Hyperglycemia is the major cause of complications with diabetes. If left untreated, hyperglycemia can become severe and lead to serious complications requiring emergency care, such as diabetic coma. In the long term, persistent hyperglycemia, even if not severe can lead to complications affecting your eyes, kidneys, nerves and heart. (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 2012)
Due to the alarming incidences of hyperglycemia and adverse side effects of synthetic medicines, researchers sought for natural, indigenous and inexpensive herbal alternatives and botanical sources (Venkatesh et al., 2003). In Britain,10 percent of the 150,000 diabetics who had been switched from the traditional animal-derived insulin to synthetic human insulin have suffered hyperglycemic episodes, coma and injuries. (Brown, 1999)
In archaic journals, 800 plants were reported to have anti-diabetes properties while survey says that more than 1200 plants were used for hypoglycemic activity. (Kesari et al., 2007) Moreover, studies suggest that Banaba and Ampalaya can be alternatives to these synthetic medicines. (Klein et al., 2007) Like the said herbal alternatives, there are many plants that have the potential to decrease the production of blood glucose such as Guava, Macopa and
INTRODUCTION
In the present time, the rate of proliferation of diabetic people is continuously and rapidly increasing. Further studies show that the number of diabetes cases worldwide has doubled since 1980 and is now at startling 350 million diabetics. (Laino, 2011). Diabetes is a lifelong disease in which the level of glucose in the blood is abnormally high. Connected to this is a condition called hyperglycemia. Hyperglycemia is the technical term for high blood glucose (sugar). High blood glucose occurs when the body can’t produce sufficient amount of insulin. And also, it can happen when the body can’t use insulin properly. (American Diabetes Association, 1995). In addition, Hyperglycemia is the major cause of complications with diabetes. If left untreated, hyperglycemia can become severe and lead to serious complications requiring emergency care, such as diabetic coma. In the long term, persistent hyperglycemia, even if not severe can lead to complications affecting your eyes, kidneys, nerves and heart. (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 2012)
Due to the alarming incidences of hyperglycemia and adverse side effects of synthetic medicines, researchers sought for natural, indigenous and inexpensive herbal alternatives and botanical sources (Venkatesh et al., 2003). In Britain,10 percent of the 150,000 diabetics who had been switched from the traditional animal-derived insulin to synthetic human insulin have suffered hyperglycemic episodes, coma and injuries. (Brown, 1999)
In archaic journals, 800 plants were reported to have anti-diabetes properties while survey says that more than 1200 plants were used for hypoglycemic activity. (Kesari et al., 2007) Moreover, studies suggest that Banaba and Ampalaya can be alternatives to these synthetic medicines. (Klein et al., 2007) Like the said herbal alternatives, there are many plants that have the potential to decrease the production of blood glucose such as Guava, Macopa and
Bibliography: * Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals (1996) Institute for Laboratory Animal Research (ILAR) http://www.aaalac.org/resources/Guide_2010.pdf * PubMed Health (2011) * Medicinal plants of India with anti-diabetic potential (2002). Grover JK et al. http://ukpmc.ac.uk/abstract/MED/12020931 * Morton, J * Morton, J. (1987). Fruits of Warm Climates: Bilimbi, p. 128-129 * NCBI (2010) * Singapore Infopedia (2005). Camias: Belimbing. http://infopedia.nl.sg/articles/SIP_856_2005-01-28.html * Philippine Medicinal Plants (2012) * The Mammals of Texas (2012). Norway Rat: Rattus Norvegicus. http://www.nsrl.ttu.edu/tmot1/rattnorv.htm * Quality of life associated with diabetes mellitus in an adult population (1999) Brown et al * Alternative therapies useful in the management of diabetes: A systematic review (2011) Pandey, Awanish et al. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3249697/