The Effect Of Secang Wood Extract (Caesalpinia sappan L.) On Blood Glucose Levels Of Mice Induced By Alloxan

Abstract

Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disease with increasing global prevalence, necessitating the exploration of alternative therapeutic agents from natural sources such as secang wood (Caesalpinia sappan L.). This study aimed to determine the effect of secang wood extract on blood glucose levels of alloxan-induced mice and compare its effectiveness with metformin. A true experimental study with pretest-posttest control group design was conducted on 24 male mice divided into 4 groups: negative control (distilled water), extract dose 75 mg/kgBW, extract dose 150 mg/kgBW, and positive control (metformin 100 mg/kgBW). Diabetes was induced by alloxan 120 mg/kgBW intraperitoneally. Blood glucose measurements were performed at pretest, post-induction, day 7, and day 14. The results showed that alloxan induction successfully increased blood glucose levels in all groups (263.00–296.50 mg/dL). Phytochemical tests confirmed the presence of flavonoids, tannins, alkaloids, saponins, and triterpenoids in secang wood extract. On day 14, the 150 mg/kgBW extract group showed a decrease in blood glucose levels to 137.17 ± 7.39 mg/dL, which was statistically equivalent to metformin (137.00 ± 7.38 mg/dL) and significantly different from the negative control (301.00 ± 17.18 mg/dL) (p<0.05). This effectiveness is attributed to the synergistic action of bioactive compounds, especially brazilin which has a similar mechanism to metformin in inhibiting hepatic gluconeogenesis. It can be concluded that secang wood extract at a dose of 150 mg/kgBW effectively reduces blood glucose levels with potential equivalent to metformin, making it a promising candidate for development as a safe and accessible alternative diabetes therapy from natural sources.