Evaluation of the Hypoglycemic Effects of Methanolic Bougainvillea spectabilis Leaf Extract in Alloxan-Induced Male Albino Mice

Diabetes Mellitus (DM) is a critical global health concern, necessitating research into affordable and accessible treatment options like herbal medicine. This study investigated the hypoglycemic potential of a methanolic extract from Bougainvillea spectabilis leaves, a widely cultivated plant rich in bioactive phytochemicals, using an alloxan-induced diabetic male albino mouse model. The research addressed a gap in local Philippine studies by employing an effective, internationally validated methanolic extraction method. The study utilized a quantitative, pre-test/post-test experimental design with thirty diabetic mice divided into six treatment groups (four extract dosages: 500, 1000, 1500, and 2000 mg/kg; a positive control: Insulin Glargine; and a negative control: Normal Saline Solution). Phytochemical analysis confirmed the presence of sterols, flavonoids, saponins, glycosides, and tannins, compounds previously linked to blood sugar control. Experimental results demonstrated that the B. spectabilis extract exhibited a dose-dependent hypoglycemic effect. All extract dosages showed a consistent decline in blood glucose levels from the third to the fifth hour of monitoring. Notably, the 2000 mg/kg dose displayed a significantly greater decrease in blood sugar compared to other extract treatments during the 3rd to 5th hours. Statistical analysis (One-Way ANOVA and Tukey’s HSD) confirmed significant differences in efficacy among the treatment groups during the first three hours. While effective, the extract treatments were not as potent as the positive control, Insulin Glargine. The findings support the use of the methanolic B. spectabilis leaf extract as an effective hypoglycemic agent and provide a foundational basis for further investigation into its development as an affordable anti-diabetic herbal medicine.