Anti-hyperglycemic effect of bran extracts of two traditional rice varieties on alloxan-induced diabetic rats

Abstract

Beras merah (BM) and Beras hitam (BH) are two traditional rice varieties popular among the tribal communities living in Ba’kelalan region of Sarawak, East Malaysia. They are grown in fertile paddy lands at 3000 feet above the sea level according to the traditional farming system. In this study, we attempted to investigate the impact of oral administration of bran extracts (RBE) of B. merah and B. hitam on Alloxan-induced diabetic rats. Four-week long treatment of animals with RBE of varying doses (400 and 200 mg/kg) were monitored using anti-hyperglycemic activity and several blood parameters. Changes in body weight and blood parameters, which include blood glucose, liver enzymes and blood proteins, were also assessed using relevant assays. Results showed that RBEs of both B. merah and B. hitam possessed good antidiabetic potentials. The group administered with 400 mg/kg of B. merah (BM 400) showed the highest antidiabetic efficacy compared to 200 mg/kg of the same extract (BM 200). However, RBE of B. hitam displayed anti-hyperglycemic activity only at moderate level. It can be concluded that traditional rice variety B. merah would be a good potent sources of natural anti-diabetic agents.