In Vitro Evaluation of Antidiabetic Potential of Cleistocalyx nervosum var. paniala Fruit Extract

Abstract

Diabetes mellitus is a complex global public health condition. Medicinal plants are significant resources in the research of alternative new drug active compounds. <i>Cleistocalyx nervosum</i> var. <i>paniala</i> (<i>C. nervosum</i>) is an indigenous berry fruit widely grown in Southeast Asia. The fruit of <i>C. nervosum</i> exhibit various medicinal properties and health benefits. This study aimed to investigate antidiabetic properties of <i>C. nervosum</i> fruit extract by in vitro assays and in vitro models. <i>C. nervosum</i> fruit extracted using three different solvents (hexane, ethanol, and distilled water) were tested for α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibitory activities, followed by glucose uptake in HepG2 and L6 myoblasts. Lipid accumulation in 3T3-L1 cells treated with <i>C. nervosum</i> fruit extracts was then examined. The results revealed that ethanolic extract of <i>C. nervosum</i> fruit showed better inhibition against α-amylase (IC₅₀ of 0.42 μg/mL) and α-glucosidase (IC₅₀ of 0.23 μg/mL) compared with other extracts. Furthermore, ethanolic extract showed higher glucose uptake potential than the standard antidiabetic drug, metformin, in HepG2 cells. The ethanolic extracts resulted in enhanced glucose utilization in L6 myoblasts compared to untreated control. All extractions showed no significantly increased lipid accumulation in 3T3-L1 cells compared to the untreated control cells. The investigation confirmed that the ethanolic extract exhibited the highest antidiabetic activity among all extracts. These results imply that <i>C. nervosum</i> fruit extract has antidiabetic properties and therefore they may be used as useful therapeutic agents for treating diabetes.