Blood Glucose Level, Langerhans Pancreas and Lipid Profile of Diabetic Rats After Administration of Red Betel, Ginger and Cinnamon Combination Extract.

Previous studies had reported antihyperglycemic activity in vitro, in vivo and in silico of red betel (Piper crocatum) extract, which was associated with its polyphenolic, tannins, alkaloids, and flavonoids compounds. This study aimed to determine blood glucose level, Langerhans pancreas, lipid profile and bodyweight of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats after administrating red betel combination extract. Red betel combination extract is composed of red betel extract that was combined with ginger and cinnamon extracts. 16 male rats (Sprague Dawley) were divided randomly into two controls groups (Normal and diabetic groups; orally administered with 2 mL of aquadest for 14 days) and two extract groups (diabetic groups; orally administered with red betel combination extract 9 mL/kg BW and 13.5 mL/kg BW). Results showed that the administration of red betel combination extract for 14 days (9 mL/kg BW dosage) decreased the rat's blood glucose level up to 55.42%, which was significantly different (p < 0.05) compared to the rat's blood glucose levels on day 3. While the combination extract (dosages 9 mL/kg BW and 13.5 mL/kg BW) increased the numbers of rat Langerhans islets up to 10.9%-30.6%. The level of rat's blood high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and triglyceride levels in the diabetic control group were significantly different (p < 0.05) compared to that of the diabetic with red betel combination extract and normal groups. The treatment orally with red betel combination extract (various dosages) for 14 days suppressed the weight loss of rats by 10%-11%.

Cytotoxicity and Antiproliferative Activity Assay of Clove Mistletoe (Dendrophthoe pentandra (L.) Miq.) Leaves Extracts.

Clove mistletoe (Dendrophthoe pentandra (L.) Miq.) is a semiparasitic plant that belongs to Loranthaceae family. Clove mistletoe was traditionally used for cancer treatment in Indonesia. In the present study, we examined cytotoxicity of clove mistletoe leaves extracts against brine shrimps and conducted their antiproliferative activity on K562 (human chronic myelogenous leukemia) and MCM-B2 (canine benign mixed mammary) cancer cell lines in vitro. The tested samples were water extract, ethanol extract, ethanol fraction, ethyl acetate fraction, and n-hexane fraction. Cytotoxicity was screened using Brine Shrimp Lethality Test (BSLT). Antiproliferative activity was conducted using Trypan Blue Dye Method and cells were counted using haemocytometer. The results showed that n-hexane fraction exhibited significant cytotoxicity with LC50 value of 55.31 µg/mL. The n-hexane fraction was then considered for further examination. The n-hexane fraction of clove mistletoe could inhibit growth of K562 and MCM-B2 cancer cell lines in vitro. The inhibition activity of clove mistletoe n-hexane fraction at concentration of 125 µg/mL on K562 cancer cell lines was 38.69%, while on MCM-B2 it was 41.5%. Therefore, it was suggested that clove mistletoe had potential natural anticancer activity.