Evaluation of Hypoglycemic Effects of Yemeni Ficus carica Leaves Extract on Dexamethasone-Induced Hyperglycemic Rabbits

Background: Medicinal plants play an important role in cure of diabetes mellitus all over the world, one important of this plants that found in Yemen is Ficus carica. Objectives: The study aimed to evaluate the hypoglycaemic effect of Ficus carica leaves extraction on dexamethasone-induced diabetic rabbits and to identify the bioactive components in the extract. Method: The present study was carried out by extraction of active constituents of Ficus carica and testing the hypoglycaemic effect of this extract against diabetic rabbits that induced by dexamethasone combined with high-fat diet. The fasting blood glucose was measured after two hr. from administering the dose of extract and comparing the results to standard drug (Daonil). Results: In the proposed studies, two Ficus carica extracts (methanol and Dichloromethane) were tested against normal rabbits, only the dichloromethane extract was having hypoglycaemic effect, so dichloromethane (DCM) extract was selected to complete the study. The DCM extract also had high hypoglycaemic effect on diabetic rabbits. The results were confirmed when compared to hypoglycaemic standard drug (Daonil), where the hypoglycaemic effect of DCM extract was more than hypoglycaemic effect of standard drug. Conclusion: From the results obtained from this study, Only DCM extract of Ficus carica was have hypoglycaemic effect among two methanol and DCM extracts. The hypoglycaemic effect of DCM extract is highly effective in comparing to standard drug (Daonl).