A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF GLIBENCLAMIDE (SUCRON) AND AMPALAYA CAPSULE (MOMORDICA CHARANTIA) IN LOWERING THE BLOOD GLUCOSE LEVEL IN GUINEA PIGS

Diabetes Mellitus (DM) is the most important disease involving the endocrine pancreas. It is a chronic disorder of carbohydrate, fat and protein metabolism characterized by hyperglycemia. The blood glucose of a diabetic patient exceeds the normal which is 70-110 mg/dL. Fasting blood sugar of over 140 mg/dL in two consec utive examinations is diagnostic of Diabetes Mellitus. Type 1 diabetes is a severe form associated with ketoacidosis. It commonly occurs in the younger age group. In this case, the circulating insulin is virtually absent. Plasma glucagon is elevated and the pancreatic B-cells fail to respond to all insulinogenic stimuli. Exogenous insulin is therefore required to reverse the catabolic state, prevent ketosis and reduce hyperglucagonemia and the elevated blood glucose level. This experimental study focuses more on the oral hypoglycemic agent which is used in the treatment of Type II diabetes, also known as Non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus. In this type, there is both insulin resistance and impaired regulation of insulin secretion. Treatment is initially and weight reduction but when these attempts to correct hyperglycemia fail, oral hypoglycemic agents are usually prescribed. There are several drugs available for the treatment of diabetes mellitus. This experiment is designed to compare the commercially available ampalaya capsule and one of the commonly used anti-diabetic drugs, which has been prescibed by physicians for decades in treating Type II diabetes. For a drug to be called the gold standard, it must be universally accepted. There are three classes of anti-diabetic drugs which work in different ways to lower blood sugar. Glibenclamide, called glyburide in the USA, may be the most prescribed anti-diabetic drug. Guinea pigs were given oral glucose powder to induce hyperglycemia prior to administration of the ampalaya capsule and glibenclamide. Both drugs caused a decrease on the blood sugar level. However, the ampalaya capsule showed a faster onset of action. Hence, the researchers conclude that ampalaya may be administered for acute attacks of hyperglycemia and may also be used as a maintenance drug. There has been no documented side effect of the drug since it came from an organic source.

Department of Pharmacology