Chiang Mai Journal of Science

 Aim was to evaluate the ameliorative effect of Tithonia diversifolia leaves extract (TDE) in alloxan-induced diabetic mice. Tithonia diversifolia is a sunflower family plant, and has been used as traditional alternative medicine for treating numerous diseases including diabetes. In our study, in vitro antioxidant and free radical scavenging activities of TDE was evaluated. In in vivo research, alloxaninduced diabetic mice were treated with different dose of TDE (100, 200, and 300 mg/kgBW) and Glibenclamide 60 mg/kgBW for 4 weeks. At the end of treatment, mice were sacrificed, collected blood and tissues (liver and pancreas) sample for evaluating the metabolic profile, oxidative stress marker, antioxidant enzymes activity, and pathological alterations. Results showed the TDE exerted potent in vitro antioxidant and free radicals scavenging activities. In diabetic mice, TDE treatment significantly reduced blood glucose and increased the serum insulin levels. In addition, the treatment also modulated the hepatic oxidative stress related parameters e.g. reduced malondialdehyde level, and increased the catalase and glutathione peroxidase levels. Histopathological analysis revealed that TDE treatment significantly ameliorated the hepatic and pancreatic degradation in diabetic mice. Taken together, TDE could be an alternative supplement for the management of the diabetes and its complications. Nevertheless, further researches are required to find out the underlying mechanism.