Efficacy of the Ethanolic Extract of Kaempferia galanga L. Rhizomes in Lowering Blood Glucose Levels in Male Rats

Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disorder characterized by elevated blood glucose levels resulting from impaired insulin production or utilization. The rhizome of Kaempferia galanga L. contains various secondary metabolites that may exert antihyperglycemic effects. This study aimed to evaluate the antihyperglycemic activity of an ethanolic extract of K. galanga rhizomes in alloxan-induced male rats. An experimental study was conducted using five groups, with five rats assigned to each group. The extract was prepared by macerating 500 g of dried rhizome powder in 5,000 mL of 70% ethanol, followed by concentration using a rotary evaporator at 50°C and a water bath. Phytochemical screening was performed to identify alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, and tannins. The animals were induced with alloxan at 150 mg/kg body weight via intraperitoneal administration and were considered hyperglycemic when blood glucose levels exceeded 126 mg/dL. The treatment groups received 0.5% Na-CMC, glibenclamide at 0.45 mg/kg body weight, or ethanolic K. galanga extract at doses of 100, 300, and 500 mg/kg body weight. Blood glucose levels were measured on days 0, 3, 7, 10, and 14. Data were analyzed using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by Tukey’s HSD test at a significance level of α = 0.05. Extraction yielded 85 g of concentrated extract, corresponding to a 17% yield, while phytochemical screening confirmed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, and tannins. On day 14, the mean blood glucose levels in the 100, 300, and 500 mg/kg body weight groups were 140.00, 123.67, and 118.33 mg/dL, respectively, compared with 115.33 mg/dL in the glibenclamide group. One-way ANOVA revealed significant differences among the treatment groups at all observation time points (p < 0.001). The 500 mg/kg body weight dose produced the lowest final blood glucose level and did not differ significantly from glibenclamide on days 3, 7, 10, and 14 (p = 0.132, 0.617, 0.083, and 0.256, respectively). The ethanolic extract of K. galanga rhizomes demonstrated antihyperglycemic potential, with the 500 mg/kg body weight dose producing the most consistent response. These findings support further investigation of K. galanga rhizomes as a potential natural source for long-term hyperglycemia management.