In a in vivo study, researchers have studied the hypoglycemic ability of the root extract of S. reticulata in normal and in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. In this study, diabetes was induced by administration of streptozotocin. Then, the root bark extract of the S. reticulata was administered for 30 days. The results of the study showed that the various extracts prepared from the root and bark efficiently reduced the blood glucose levels both in normal and diabetic rats. The extracts also have shown potent antioxidant activity.
Safety study
In a safety study, Salacia reticula extract was administred at a dose of 2.3 mg/day to the mice for 3 weeks. No significant differences in body weight gain, fasting blood glucose level, oral glucose tolerance level, aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT) activity between the normal and extract-treated group were observed after 3 weeks of Salacia extract administration.
The expression of the stress response, ribosomal proteins, transcription, cell function, the inflammatory/immune response, and metabolism remained largely unaffected by extract group, which proves the safety of the extract. Further the extract reduced the blood glucose levels to normal levels.
References
Im R, Mano H, Nakatani S, Shimizu J, Wada M. Safety evaluation of the aqueous extract Kothala himbutu (Salacia reticulata) stem in the hepatic gene expression profile of normal mice using DNA microarrays. Biosci Biotechnol Biochem. 2008;72(12):3075‐3083.
Chandrashekar CN et al., Free radical scavenging activities and antidiabetic properties of various extracts of Salacia reticulata. Thai Journal of Physiological Sciences. 2008;21(2):48-57.