Hypoglycemic effect of the hydroalcoholic extract of leaves of Averrhoa carambola L. (Oxalidaceae)

The effect of the oral treatment (20 mg/kg x day) with the hydroalcoholic extract of leaves of Averrhoa carambola L. (HELAC) on fasting glycemia (15 h) Was examined. For this purpose, rats that received vehicle (Control group) or HELAC (HELAC group) during 15 days were compared. HELAC group showed lower fasting glycemia (p<0.05). In contrast, livers from HELAC group showed higher (p<0.05) glucose production from L-alanine (5 mM). This effect was mediated, at least part of it, by an activation of the catabolism of L-alanine inferred by the increased hepatic urea (p<0.05) and L-lactate (p<0.05) production. Differently of L-alanine, the glucose production from L-glutamine (5 mM), L-lactate (2 mM) and glycerol (2 mM) was similar (Control group vs. HELAC group). In addition, the HELAC treatment did not change the glucose uptake in soleus Muscles, inferred by the incorporation of [C-14]-glucose to glycogen (glycogen synthesis) and [C-14]-lactate production. Thus, we can conclude that the reduction of fasting glycemia promoted by the treatment with HELAC was not mediated by an inhibition of hepatic gluconeogenesis and/or an increased glucose uptake by muscles.