Evaluation of The Hypoglycemic Effects of Dried Leaves of Stevia rebaudiana (Bertoni), on The Treatment of Type-II Diabetic Patients of Bangladesh.

Abstract

Stevia rebaudiana Bretoni, a native plant of Paraguay and Brazil, known for its sweetener and antidiabetic property world wide. However, the mechanisms for the blood glucoselowering effect remain unknown. Stevioside, the main glycoside (250-300 times sweeter than sugar) present in the leaves of Stevia rebaudiana, is varies 4-20% depending on the soil property, cultivation technique, weather. Recently the plant Stevia rebaudiana is cultivated in Bangladesh. But there is no clinical report on the antidiabetic property of this plant in Bangladeshi population. The study was conducted to investigate the effects of powdered form of stevia leaves on blood glucose concentration of randomly selected 20 type-II diabetic patients of Bangladesh. Powdered form of Stevia leaves was given by oral administration at 2 gm/day in two divided doses, half teaspoon, 1gm, in morning and half teaspoon, 1gm, in evening). Changes in the blood glucose levels were measured by glucometer and the obtained data was analysis by using one sample t-test. Mean fasting blood Glucose level of those patients before the use of Stevia powder was found to be 13.74±0.76 mmole/L. The administration of 2 gm/ day of powdered leaves of stevia leaves in those patients showed statistically significant reduction of blood glucose level in 8.59±0.50 mmol/l with in 6 weeks. The patients were monitored up to 12 weeks and the reduction level of fasting blood glucose was maintained. Similarly, mean blood Glucose level of those selected patients two hours after breakfast before the use of Stevia powder was found to be 14.98±0.81 mmole/L. The administration of powdered Stevia leaves in those 20 patients showed statistically significant reduction of blood glucose level after two hours of breakfast was 9.58±0.42 mmol/l within 6 weeks. The patients were monitored up to 12 weeks and the reduction level of fast blood glucose was maintained. Thus, the powdered Stevia leaves produced significant hypoglycemic effects on blood glucose concentration when compare with the blood glucose level of before using stevia green powder of 20 type-II diabetic patients. From this study, it was observed that the compound Stevia reabaudiana green leaf powder may have a potential role as antihyperglycemic agents in the treatment of type-II diabetes mellitus in Bangladeshi population.