Using an established animal model of diabetes, the researchers found that a specific fraction of bengkal leaves extracted with ethyl acetate reduced blood glucose levels by nearly 50 percent within seven days. At the optimal dose, the effect was comparable to glibenclamide, a standard oral antidiabetic medication widely used in clinical practice.
Why new antidiabetic options are urgently needed
Diabetes mellitus is one of the fastest-growing chronic diseases worldwide. Rising urbanization, sedentary lifestyles, and changes in dietary patterns have pushed prevalence rates upward, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. Beyond its impact on individual health, diabetes places a heavy economic burden on healthcare systems due to long-term complications such as cardiovascular disease, kidney failure, and nerve damage.
While conventional antidiabetic drugs are effective, long-term use can cause side effects including hypoglycemia, gastrointestinal discomfort, and cardiovascular risks. Access and affordability also remain challenges in many regions. These realities have renewed scientific interest in medicinal plants, especially those already used in traditional medicine, as potential sources of safer and more accessible therapies.
In Indonesia, bengkal leaves (Nauclea orientalis L.) have been used empirically to manage blood sugar, but until now, scientific evidence supporting their efficacy and optimal dosage has been limited.
How the experiment was carried out
The research team used a quasi-experimental laboratory design conducted in 2025 at the Phytochemistry and Pharmacology Laboratory, Poltekkes Kemenkes Jambi. Thirty healthy male white mice were induced with diabetes using alloxan, a compound that damages insulin-producing pancreatic cells and reliably creates a hyperglycemic condition.
The mice were divided into six groups:
· A negative control group
· A positive control group treated with glibenclamide (0.65 mg/kg)
· Four treatment groups receiving bengkal leaf ethyl acetate fraction at doses of 150, 300, 450, and 600 mg/kg body weight
Blood glucose levels were measured on day 1, day 3, and day 7 after treatment. Statistical analysis, including ANOVA and post hoc testing, was used to compare the effects of dose and treatment duration.
A clear dose–response pattern emerges
All treated groups showed some reduction in blood glucose levels, but the magnitude of the effect varied sharply by dose.
Key findings include:
· The 450 mg/kg dose produced the strongest and most consistent effect
· At this dose, blood glucose levels dropped by 49.53 percent by day 7
· The effect was statistically comparable to glibenclamide
· Higher dosing (600 mg/kg) resulted in lower effectiveness, close to untreated controls
These results indicate a clear optimal dose range, where increasing the dose beyond a certain point does not improve outcomes and may reduce biological effectiveness.
Why more is not always better
The reduced effectiveness at higher doses highlights an important principle in natural product pharmacology. Plant extracts contain multiple bioactive compounds that interact in complex ways. At optimal concentrations, these compounds can work synergistically. At excessive levels, they may interfere with each other or overwhelm biological systems.
Phytochemical screening showed that the ethyl acetate fraction of bengkal leaves contains flavonoids, alkaloids, and tannins, compounds known to influence glucose metabolism. Flavonoids act as antioxidants and improve insulin sensitivity, alkaloids may enhance glucose uptake, and tannins can slow carbohydrate digestion in the gut. Together, these mechanisms help explain the strong glucose-lowering effect observed at the optimal dose.
Implications for diabetes treatment and drug development
The findings position bengkal leaves as a promising candidate for phytopharmaceutical development. Unlike crude herbal preparations, the use of a specific ethyl acetate fraction allows for better standardization, dose control, and reproducibility—key requirements for modern medicine.
For researchers and pharmaceutical developers, the study provides:
· Clear preclinical evidence of antidiabetic activity
· Identification of an optimal therapeutic dose
· A scientific bridge between traditional use and evidence-based medicine
For policymakers and healthcare planners, the results support further investment in local medicinal plants as part of long-term strategies to improve access to diabetes care.
Insight from the researchers
According to Andy Brata of Poltekkes Kemenkes Jambi, the results demonstrate that bengkal leaves should no longer be viewed only as traditional remedies. Drawing on the experimental data, the authors emphasize that the ethyl acetate fraction of bengkal leaves “shows strong and consistent antidiabetic activity with effectiveness comparable to standard medication when used at the correct dose,” highlighting its potential for future drug development.
Author profile
· Lailan Azizah, S.Farm., M.Farm., is a pharmaceutical researcher at the Department of Pharmacy, Poltekkes Kemenkes Jambi, Indonesia. Her expertise includes pharmacognosy, natural product research, and experimental pharmacology.
· Andy Brata, S.Farm., M.Sc., is a senior lecturer and researcher at Poltekkes Kemenkes Jambi and the Centre of Excellence (COE). His work focuses on phytopharmaceutical development, bioactive compound fractionation, and evidence-based herbal medicine.
Source
Journal Article Title: Antidiabetic Activity Test of Ethyl Acetate Fraction of Bengkal Leaves (Nauclea orientalis L.) on Male White Mice
Journal: Formosa Journal of Science and Technology
Publication Year: 2026
DOI: https://doi.org/10.55927/fjst.v5i1.397
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