Red Betel Leaf (Piper Crocatum) As A Blood Glucose-Lowering Agent

Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disorder syndrome characterized by the occurrence of hyperglycemia. This is related to work deficiency and insulin secretion in absolute or relative terms. Very typical clinical manifestations of diabetes mellitus are increased frequency of urination (polyuria), excessive thirst (polydipsia), increased hunger (polyphagia), complaints of tiredness and drowsiness, and weight loss. Clinically diabetes mellitus is differentiated into insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) or insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (DMTI) and non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) or insulin dependent non mellitus (DMTTI). In IDDM the pancreas does not produce enough insulin, whereas in NIDDM the pancreas still produces insulin relatively, but the existing insulin cannot work properly due to insulin resistance due to obesity. The mechanism of weight loss in people with diabetes mellitus occurs due to defects of insulin secretion (insufficient insulin) and impaired insulin action (insulin resistance). Impaired insulin causes blood glucose can not enter the muscle cells and fat tissue. That resulted, the body lacks energy. To meet energy needs, the energy reserves of muscle and fat tissue will be overhauled through the process of glycogenolysis and lipolysis. The process of glycogenolysis and lipolysis that continues over time ultimately causes muscle mass and fat tissue to decrease and weight loss occurs. The use of oral anti-diabetic drugs provides hypogelchemical side effects, nausea, abdominal discomfort, anorexia, allergic skin reactions and vision problems are temporary at the beginning of administration. Alternative uses of traditional medicine for diabetes mellitus can reduce the above side effects and are relatively safer. Red betel leaf (Piper crocatum) containing phytochemical compounds namely alkaloids, saponins, tannins, and flavonoids, is expected to reduce blood glucose levels. Provision of red betel leaf extract (Piper crocatum) in reducing blood glucose in experimental animals works by preventing the intestines from absorbing the glucose consumed. This type of drug stimulates the body's pancreatic β cells to produce more insulin, besides increasing glucose glycogen reserve deposits in the liver. Momordisin, a type of glucoside contained in red betel leaves is also able to reduce glucose levels in the blood and help the pancreas produce insulin. The effect of red betel leaf in lowering blood glucose in mice is also estimated to be the same as the mechanism of insulin.

 Source: Udayana Veterinary Bulletin Vol. 6 No. 2, August 2014