J. Pharm. Pharmacogn. Res., vol. 14, no. 1, Article ID 2290, Jan-Feb 2026.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.56499/jppres_14.1.2290Original article
Pharmacological assessment of standardized Curcuma longa L. and Centella asiatica (L.) Urban extracts for diabetes management
[Evaluación farmacológica de extractos estandarizados de Curcuma longa y Centella asiática para el manejo de la diabetes]
Herni Kusriani1*, Yani Mulyani2, Rahmat Santoso3, Garnadi Jafar3, Fatiya Z. Ishmah1, Nadhira A. Zahra2
1Department of Biology Pharmacy, Bhakti Kencana University, Bandung, 40614, Indonesia.
2Department of Pharmacology Clinic, Bhakti Kencana University, Bandung, 40614, Indonesia.
3Department of Technology Pharmacy, Bhakti Kencana University, Bandung, 40614, Indonesia.
*E-mail: herni.kusriani@bku.ab.id
Abstract
Context: Diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disorder characterized by hyperglycemia and insulin resistance, often linked to oxidative stress. Curcuma longa (turmeric) and Centella asiatica (gotu kola) are traditionally recognized for antidiabetic and antioxidant properties.
Aims: To identify major active compounds and evaluate the antioxidant and antidiabetic activities of these extracts individually and in combination.
Methods: Extracts were standardized using TLC densitometry according to the Indonesian Herbal Pharmacopoeia. Antioxidant activity was assessed via DPPH scavenging and malondialdehyde (MDA) inhibition, while antidiabetic effects were evaluated through α-glucosidase inhibition and in vivo testing in alloxan-induced diabetic rats. Insulin resistance was measured by the highest tolerated level of insulin (HTLI).
Results: Both extracts met pharmacopeial quality standards. The 1:1 combination exhibited markedly stronger α-glucosidase inhibition (IC50 = 45.45 μg/mL) than C. longa (135.03 μg/mL), C. asiatica (88.07 μg/mL), and acarbose (113.92 μg/mL). Antioxidant activity was also greater in the combination (IC50 = 40.68 μg/mL). In vivo, combination treatment reduced blood glucose comparably to glibenclamide and improved insulin sensitivity, with HTLI reaching 1.634 mg/dL versus 1.308 mg/dL for metformin. MDA levels were significantly reduced, indicating lower lipid peroxidation. A moderate correlation between antioxidant and enzyme inhibition (r = 0.685) suggests a mechanistic link between oxidative stress and carbohydrate metabolism.
Conclusions: The combination of C. longa and C. asiatica demonstrated synergistic antioxidant and antidiabetic effects, meeting quality standards, which supports its potential as an adjunctive therapy for diabetes management.
Keywords: antidiabetic; antioxidant; Centella asiatica; Curcuma longa; synergistic effect.
Resumen
Contexto: La diabetes mellitus es un trastorno metabólico crónico caracterizado por hiperglucemia y resistencia a la insulina, a menudo asociada al estrés oxidativo. La Curcuma longa (cúrcuma) y la Centella asiática (gotu kola) son tradicionalmente reconocidas por sus propiedades antidiabéticas y antioxidantes.
Objetivos: Identificar los principales compuestos activos y evaluar las actividades antioxidantes y antidiabéticas de estos extractos, tanto individualmente como en combinación.
Métodos: Los extractos se estandarizaron mediante densitometría por TLC según la Farmacopea Herbal de Indonesia. La actividad antioxidante se evaluó mediante la eliminación de DPPH y la inhibición del malondialdehído (MDA), mientras que los efectos antidiabéticos se evaluaron mediante la inhibición de la α-glucosidasa y pruebas in vivo en ratas con diabetes inducida por aloxano. La resistencia a la insulina se midió mediante el nivel máximo tolerado de insulina (HTLI).
Resultados: Ambos extractos cumplieron con los estándares de calidad de la farmacopea. La combinación 1:1 mostró una inhibición de la α-glucosidasa notablemente mayor (CI50 = 45,45 μg/mL) que la de C. longa (135,03 μg/mL), C. asiatica (88,07 μg/mL) y acarbosa (113,92 μg/mL). La actividad antioxidante también fue mayor en la combinación (CI50 = 40,68 μg/mL). In vivo, el tratamiento combinado redujo la glucemia de forma comparable a la glibenclamida y mejoró la sensibilidad a la insulina, con un HTLI de 1,634 frente a 1,308 para la metformina. Los niveles de MDA se redujeron significativamente, lo que indica una menor peroxidación lipídica. Una correlación moderada entre la inhibición antioxidante y enzimática (r = 0,685) sugiere un vínculo mecanicista entre el estrés oxidativo y el metabolismo de los carbohidratos.
Conclusiones: La combinación de C. longa y C. asiatica demostró efectos antioxidantes y antidiabéticos sinérgicos, cumpliendo con los estándares de calidad, lo que respalda su potencial como terapia complementaria para el manejo de la diabetes.
Palabras Clave: antidiabético; antioxidante; Centella asiatica; Curcuma longa; efecto sinérgico.
Citation Format: Kusriani H, Mulyani Y, Santoso R, Jafar G, Ishmah FZ, Nadhira AZ (2026) Pharmacological assessment of standardized Curcuma longa L. and Centella asiatica (L.) Urban extracts for diabetes management. J Pharm Pharmacogn Res 14(1): 2290. https://doi.org/10.56499/jppres_14.1.2290
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