Pharm Biol. 2000;38(3):181-6. doi: 10.1076/1388-0209(200007)3831-SFT181.

Hypoglycaemic activity of an aqueous extract from ficus carica (fig tree) leaves in streptozotocin diabetic rats.

Pérez C, Domínguez E, Canal JR, Campillo JE, Torres MD.

To investigate the hypoglycaemic activity of Ficus carica leaf aqueous extract, a decoction was administred to rats in lieu of drinking water for three weeks. The groups were:

• untreated non-diabetic (n = 13),
• untreated diabetic (n = 13),
• treated non-diabetic (n =13) and
• treated diabetic (n = 13) animals.

The extract decreased (p < 0.025) plasma glucose in diabetic (27.9 ± 4.5 mmol/L to 19.6 ± 9.9 mmol/L) while not in normal rats.

Plasma insulin levels were decreased by treatment (p < 0.05) in non-diabetic rats from 4.9± 1.6 ng/mL to 3.3 ± 1.2 ng/mL. Glucose uptake (µmol/min) by rat hindquarters perfused was:

• 5.9 ± 2.2 (untreated non-diabetic rats),
• 4.8 ± 2.3 (treated non-diabetic rats, p < 0.05 vs. untreated non-diabetic rats),
• 2.0 ± 2.0 (untreated diabetic rats, p < 0.01 vs. untreated non-diabetic rats) and
• 4.1 ± 3.6 (treated diabetic rats) in absence of insulin; 7.0 ± 1.7 (untreated non-diabetic rats),
• 8.3 ± 0.8 (treated non-diabetic rats, p < 0.05 vs. untreated non-diabetic rats),
• 5.0 ± 1.6 (untreated diabetic rats, p < 0.05 vs. untreated non-diabetic rats) and
• 6.4 ± 2.4 (treated diabetic rats) in presence of insulin.

Lactate released was lower in untreated diabetic vs. untreated non-diabetic rats. Thus, Ficus carica extract showed a clear hypoglycaemic effect in diabetic rats. Such an effect cannot be mediated by an enhanced insulin secretion, so an as yet undefined insulin-like peripheral effect, may be suggested.

PMID:  21214459