Ficus deltoidea: A Potential Alternative Medicine for Diabetes Mellitus

Abstract

Ficus deltoideafrom the Moraceae family has been scientifically proven to reduce hyperglycemia at different prandial states. In this study, we evaluate the mechanisms that underlie antihyperglycemic action ofFicus deltoidea. The results had shown that hot aqueous extract ofFicus deltoideastimulated insulin secretion significantly with the highest magnitude of stimulation was 7.31-fold (P<0.001). The insulin secretory actions of the hot aqueous extract involvedK+ ATPchannel-dependent andK+ ATP-channel-independent pathway. The extract also has the ability to induce the usage of intracellular Ca2+to trigger insulin release. The ethanolic and methanolic extracts enhanced basal and insulin-mediated glucose uptake into adipocytes cells. The extracts possess either insulin-mimetic or insulin-sensitizing property or combination of both properties during enhancing glucose uptake into such cells. Meanwhile, the hot aqueous and methanolic extracts augmented basal and insulin-stimulated adiponectin secretion from adipocytes cells. From this study, it is suggested thatFicus deltoideahas the potential to be developed as future oral antidiabetic agent.