Hibiscus sabdariffa Linn fruit derivatives as alternative agents for diabetes mellitus care: A basic insight

This study discusses the effectiveness of methanolic extract and fractions (butanol, ethyl acetate, and n-hexane) of H. sabdariffa Linn fruit towards antidiabetic activities (in vitro). In order to test the efficacy, toxicity and insulin secretion capacity of rat pancreatic β-cell lines (BRIN-BD11) were tested with the methanolic extract and fractions. The outcomes showed that both the extract and the fractions demonstrated significantly lower levels of cytotoxic activities. Furthermore, the methanolic extract and fractions displayed varied sensitivity levels towards insulin release after an incubation period of 30 min. The methanolic extract, at a concentration of 300 µg/mL, significantly stimulated secretion of insulin by 2.85-fold (p<0.001). In addition, butanol, ethyl acetate, and n-hexane fractions revealed a gradual increase in insulin secretion. The stimulated insulin secretion for these fractions had been recorded at 2-fold (p<0.01), 2.67-fold, and 2.31-fold (p<0.001), respectively, at the highest concentrations. The methanolic extract and fractions also appeared to stimulate secretion of insulin with all modulators present, for example, potassium chloride (KCl), insulin secretion inhibitor (verapamil and diazoxide), as well as insulin secretagogue (tolbutamide and isobutylmethylxanthine (IBMX)). These results indicate that H. sabdariffa Linn fruit methanolic extract and fractions could indeed be beneficial for future development of antidiabetic drugs.