Comparative Study on the Antidiabetic Activity of Fresh and Fermented Fruit Juice of Morinda citrifolia in Alloxan-Induced Diabetic Rats

Background and Objective: Diabetes mellitus is a disorder of glucose metabolism that causes mortality and morbidity. Both fresh and fermented fruit juice of Morinda citrifolia have antidiabetic activity. This study compared the antidiabetic activity of the fresh and fermented fruit juice of Morinda citrifolia. Materials and Methods: The 45 Wistar rats were randomly divided into 9 groups. Group 1 was the normal control. Groups 2-9 were induced with diabetes using alloxan. Group 3 was administered a standard drug, glibenclamide. Groups 4, 5, 6 were administered 20, 40 and 80 mL/kg b.wt., fresh fruit juice of Morinda citrifolia, respectively, while groups 7, 8 and 9 were administered 20, 40 and 80 mL/kg b.wt., fermented fruit juice of Morinda citrifolia, respectively. The fasting blood glucose level of the rats was taken at an interval of 2 days using a glucometer. The initial and final weights of the rats were taken. After sacrificing the animals on the 15th day, the concentration of albumin, alanine transaminase, aspartate transaminase and alkaline phosphatase was determined using standard methods. Results: The fasting blood glucose level of the groups administered 80 mL/kg b.wt., fresh fruit juice of Morinda citrifolia and 80 mL/kg b.wt., fermented fruit juice of Morinda citrifolia was comparable with the control by day 7. The weight gains of the diabetic rats that received 80 mL/kg b.wt., fresh Morinda citrifolia and fermented fruit juice of Morinda citrifoliawere not significantly different from each other. The level of the serum liver indices of rats administered 80 mL/kg b.wt., fermented fruit juice of Morinda citrifolia was not significantly different from the control. Conclusion: High dose of fermented fruit juice of Morinda citrifoliaattenuated liver damage caused by diabetes mellitus. Fermented fruit juice of Morinda citrifolia is more effective in treating liver damage caused by diabetes mellitus.