ABSTRACT
Objective: Recently, much attention has been paid to natural product-derived compounds for antidiabetic drug discovery. More recent studies are being focused on clarifying the bioactivity of plants and derived products. The aim of the present study was to investigate the anti-oxidant and antidiabetic activities of Clerodendrum inerme leaf extract (CILE) in streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice. Methods: C. inerme leaves were analyzed for preliminary phytochemical properties and the content of total phenolic and flavonoid were determined. In vitro anti-oxidant activity was measured using DPPH assay. Streptozotocin-induced diabetic model in mice was applied for in vivo study by the effect of CILE at two dose levels (343 and 686 mg/kg b.w.). Results: The results showed that C. inerme leaves contained the major constituents of flavonoids, alkaloids, tannins, triterpenes, and saponins. CILE exhibited the total polyphenol and flavonoid content with 120.458 mg gallic acid equivalent/g dry weight and 4.494 mg hispidulin equivalent/g dry weight, respectively. The anti-oxidant activity of CILE was expressed with IC50 = 25.28 µg/mL. CILE at the doses of 343 mg/kg and 686 mg/kg after 7 d administration exerted a decrease in plasma glucose, protected the liver, kidneys against oxidation stress via increasing glutathione content in the liver, and reduced malondialdehyde content in the liver and kidneys. Pancreatic histological analysis in diabetic mice treated with CILE also showed the pancreatic β-cells regeneration via increasing the size and number of pancreatic islets. Conclusion: These findings suggested that C. inerme leaves had potent antidiabetic and anti-oxidant activities. The results provide reliable scientific base, which is the premise for further research and development of CILE as supplements.