Hypoglycemic and Antianemia Effects of Chlorophyll from Sauropus androgynus (L) Merr Leaves in Rats

Abstract

Background: Beneficial effect of katuk (Sauropus androgynus L Merr) leaves (CSA) as one of medicinal plant in Indonesian jamu may potential to cure diabetes mellitus (DM) and iron deficiency anemia (IDA) as well as its well-known effect to increase breast milk production. Objectives: This study was aiming to explore the hypoglycemic effects of CSA in streptozotocininduced DM rats (STZ) and antianemia effects in IDA rats (FeD). Material and Methods: STZ male Wistar rats were treated with CSA, commercial chlorophyll (Chln) and glibencamide. Blood glucose levels and histological changes of liver, kidney and pancreas were analyzed after 14 days treatment. At separate experiment, FeD female Wistar rats were treated with CSA and Chln. The treatment was performed orally at the 1st - 20th day of pregnancy. Levels of Hb, Fe and ferritin blood serum, number and body weight of the offspring were analyzed on 21st day (post-partum). Results: Treatment of CSA for 14 days to diabetic animals demonstrated the hypoglycemic effect, however the histological analysis suggested that the scores of liver, kidney and pancreas were higher than that in the normal group. Moreover, CSA exerted a significant restorative effect by returning the levels of hemoglobin, serum iron, and serum ferritin. A fetus analysis suggested that the fetus body weight of in the CSA and Chln groups was similar to that in the normal group. Conclusion: CSA treatment are potential as a new herbal supplement to cure DM and IDA. However, the safety dose should be considered to prevent the toxicity. Key words: Antioxidants, Chlorophyll, Diabetes mellitus (DM), Iron deficiency anemia (IDA), Sauropus androgynus (L) Merr