The traditional plant, Andrographis paniculata (Sambiloto), exhibits insulin-releasing actions in vitro.

ABSTRACT

AIM: to examine the effect of A.paniculata on pancreatic b-cells. METHODS: sixty minutes incubation of BRIN-BD11 in Modified Kreb-Ringer Solution containing 16.7 mM glucose (KRB-3) + 0.625 - 2.5 mg/mL A.paniculata evoked 1.7 - 3.73 fold of insulin secretion compared to 16.7 mM glucose only (p = 0.003 - p < 0.001). RESULTS: compared to the effect of 100 mM glibenclamide, 60 minutes incubation of BRIN-BD11 in KRB-3 containing 1.25 and 2.5 mg/mL A. paniculata evoked 1.5 fold (p=0.034) and 2.3 fold (p=0.001) insulin secretion. Twenty minutes incubation of BRIN-BD11 in KRB-3 + 0.625-5 mg/mL A.paniculata, evoked 1.4 - 4.7 fold (p = 0.002 - p < 0.001) of insulin secretion compared to 16.7 mM glucose only. Twenty minutes incubation of BRIN-BD11 in KRB-1 containing 1.11 mM glucose + 0.625 - 10 mg/mL A.paniculata, evoked 1.3 - 3.7 fold (p = 0.019 - p < 0.001) of insulin secretion compared to 16.7 mM glucose only. CONCLUSION: this study conclude that A.paniculata was a very strong, dose dependent insulinotropic agent, glucose dependent and independent insulin secreting agent. This study also conclude that A.paniculata affected one of the membrane receptors, mostly ATP-dependent potassium channels (K+ATP).