Antihyperglycemic Potential of 70% Ethanol Extract of Kersen (Muntingia calabura L.) Fruit in Mice: An In Vivo Study

Abstract

Background: Diabetes mellitus requires affordable therapeutic alternatives. Kersen (Muntingia calabura L.) fruit contains secondary metabolites with antioxidant and potential antihyperglycemic properties. Objective: To evaluate the antihyperglycemic activity of ethanol extract of M. calabura fruit in alloxan-induced hyperglycemic mice. Method: An in vivo experimental study used 30 mice divided into normal control, diabetic control, and extract treatment groups receiving 10%, 15%, or 20% extract orally for 14 days. Hyperglycemia was induced using alloxan at 150 mg/kg body weight. Blood glucose levels were measured before induction and on days 7 and 14. Phytochemical screening was performed qualitatively. Data were assessed using Shapiro-Wilk and Levene’s tests, followed by one-way ANOVA and Tukey’s HSD test. Results: The extract yield was 24.25%, and phytochemical screening identified flavonoids, alkaloids, tannins, and saponins. Alloxan successfully induced hyperglycemia, with diabetic-control blood glucose levels reaching approximately 299 mg/dL on day 14. Extract treatment produced a dose-dependent reduction in blood glucose. The 20% extract group showed the greatest effect, with a mean final blood glucose level of approximately 116 mg/dL and no significant difference from the normal control group (p=0.209). One-way ANOVA showed significant differences among groups (p<0.001). Conclusion: Ethanol extract of M. calabura fruit demonstrated significant antihyperglycemic activity in alloxan-induced mice, with the 20% concentration providing the most effective glucose-lowering response.