OF MAKAHIYA (MIMOSA PUDICA) ON BLOOD

SUGAR LEVELS OF ALBINO WHITE MICE

A Capsule Proposal

Presented to

Ken Joseph E. Clemente, LPT, MSc

A Research Professor of the Senior High School

University of Santo Tomas

In partial fulfillment

Of the requirements for the Subject

Research: Quantitative & Qualitative

Riza Mae M. Albis

Alzter G. Aquino

Yohan Jasper S. Cai

John Michael Niño Fernandez

Anne Therese L. Menguito

May 2017
Proposal Abstract (150-200 words)

Objectives (30-100 words)

Through this research, the researchers aim to add to the existing knowledge on

diabetes and aid in the discovery of natural alternative treatments to the disease.

Specifically, this study aims to:

1. Discover if makahiya leaf extract is effective in lowering blood sugar levels of

Albino white mice

2.

3.

Significance (50-100 words)

Literature Review (800-1000 words)

1. Background research on Mimosa pudica

● Define Mimosa pudica

Makahiya (Mimosa pudica) is a creeping perennial herb that has a

compound leaves that fold inward and bent inside when being touched,

acting as a defense mechanism, and will re-open after a few minutes.

(Klein, 2016) Makahiya is known to be native to Brazil and other parts of

South America, but now can be find in most tropical regions such as

Thailand, India, Malaysia, and Philippines. (“Mimosa pudica”, n.d.)

 Makahiya is mostly growing at shady areas, under trees and shrubs.

(“Bashful Mimosa”, n.d.)

● Morphological description of Mimosa pudica

It is known as shameplant or the sensitive plant. Makahiya has a

branched stem that is growing 1 to 1.5 m long, with a small amount of bristly

hairs. The leaves are very sensitive, especially the Pinnae and leaflets.

Pinnae are usually growing 4 to 9 cm long. The leaflets are oblong-like,

unsymmetrical, 1 to 1.5 cm long, with pointed tips. Makahiya is erect in a

young age, but becomes creeping or trailing with age. (“Bashful Mimosa”,

n.d.)

● Nutrient content of Mimosa pudica

Mimosa pudica is used widely in terms of medicine. This plant contains a

number of compounds that are beneficial for human health, and one of

which is mimosine. Mimosine was extracted by the use of others solvents

such as lactic acid, citric acid and ethanol, after it was immersed in boiling

water. The plant itself has nutrient content, this includes the roots, leaves,

and the whole plant itself. Roots yield organic compounds such as

lavonoids, phytosterol, alkaloids, amino acids, tannins, glycoside, fatty

acids. Leaves and stems reported to contain the alkaloid mimosine; leaves

yield mucilage; the roots yield tannins. Methanolic extract of leaves yielded

terpenoids, flavonoids, glycosides, alkaloids, quinines, phenols, tannins,

saponins, and coumarins. (Baghel, 2013)

● Possible effects of Mimosa pudica on blood glucose

 The ethanolic extract of Mimosa pudica leaves showed significant

decrease of blood glucose level compared with Metformin as standard drug

(Mohan, 2015).

2. Background research on blood glucose

● Definition of blood glucose

Blood Glucose is the sugar that is found in our blood. It comes from the

food that we eat. It is also our body’s main source of energy. Our blood

carries glucose to our body and uses it as energy. (National Library of

Medicine, n.d) Blood glucose rise and fall during the day, it varies on the

food that we eat. Eating too low or too high would cause diseases on our

body. A Healthy meal is recommended and a normal exercise is needed in

order to regulate the glucose level. Other factors that would increase the

glucose is that side effect of medicine, infection or other illness, changes in

hormone levels (during menstrual periods), and stress. The factors that

would decrease the glucose are alcoholic drinks (especially on an empty

stomach), side effects of medicines, more physical activity. (American

Diabetes Association, 2009)

● Effects of blood glucose in our body

Our body needs glucose in order to do work but digesting too much

glucose would likely to have a high risk of having a heart disease. The

brain’s thinking, memory and learning capability are closely linked to the

glucose level and how efficiently the brain uses this as fuel source. (Corliss,

2014) If there are not enough glucose supplied to the brain communications
 with neurons most likely to break down and would have poor attention and

cognitive function. (Novak, n.d)

● Current regulators of blood glucose

Bitter Melon is an Asian food that contains a plant like insulin substance

that not only lowers blood glucose but also lowers glucose in all the tissues

of the body. Also Bitter Melon promotes proper carbohydrate digestion

allowing far less glucose to be released into the body. And Bitter Melon can

reverse insulin resistants, and prevent complications that occur with

uncontrolled diabetes. (Omtimes magazines, 2013)

Meanwhile, garlic contains sulfur compounds‒specifically hydrogen

sulfide gas‒ which dilate blood vessels. It is this effect that reduces blood

pressure. This same compounds help in the metabolism of iron and protect

against oxidative damage and even high cholesterol. (G. Aurora, 2012)

● Standard/Threshold of blood glucose of Albino white mice

A normal albino white mouse will have blood glucose levels of between

60-130 mg/dl after four hours of fasting. Meanwhile, humans have a normal

blood glucose level of 80-120 mg/dl. (Dodge, 2001)

3. Background research on Albino white mice

● Definition of Albino white mice

Albino white mice are the most common variety of white mice. They are

commonly used in laboratory experiments. (Animal-World, n.d.) They carry

genetic strains that are helpful for making genome annotations, making it
 possible to establish high-resolution genetic maps. (Guénet, Orth, &

Bonhomme, 2012)

● Research conducted on Albino white mice

Islam, et al. (2012) used Swiss Albino white mice to evaluate the

antineoplastic activity of Eucalyptus extract (EuE) against Ehrlich ascites

carcinoma (EAC). The results showed that EuE reduced tumor burden

remarkably, reducing the tumor growth rate and enhancing the life span of

EAC bearing mice noticeably.

4. Background research on extracting Mimosa pudica

Mimosa pudica contains a number of compounds that are beneficial for

human health, including mimosine. To extract this compound, leaves will be

immersed in boiling water for an amount of time and cooled after. Then, they will

be cut and ground to prepare for the extraction of the mimosine. Ethanol will be

used as a solvent. The material to solvent ratio will be 1:20. (Dong, n.d.)

5. Methods of determining blood glucose levels in laboratory animals

Blood glucose in mice were determined by glucometers. An evaluation of

appropriateness of using glucometers was conducted to investigate the

significances of the physiological and pathological findings. Glucometers have

been commonly used for measuring glucose levels on animal model especially

on rodents. Appropriateness of using glucometer in mice was not yet fully

assessed. (Togashi et al., 2016)

Methodology (schematic diagram)

Target Beneficiaries (20-100 words)

● Pharmacologists to be able to create a new and improved medicines in line with

diabetes

● Researchers who are conducting related studies about the topic

● Government agencies such as Department of Health, Department of

Environmental and Natural Resources for further investigations and

improvements about the study

● People who suffers diabetes.

Expected Outputs (30-100 words)

● Ethanolic extract will lower the blood glucose compared to a clinical drug called

Metformin.

● Mimosa pudica leaves will be effective on lowering the blood glucose level not

just on mice but on humans as well.

References

● ADA CVD - All_about_Blood_Glucose.pdf. (n.d.). Retrieved from

http://professional.diabetes.org/sites/professional.diabetes.org/files/media/All_ab

out_Blood_Glucose.pdf

● Animal-World. (n.d.). Pet Mouse. Retrieved from http://animal-

world.com/encyclo/critters/mouse/mouse.php
● Blood Sugar. (n.d.). [Text]. Retrieved from

https://medlineplus.gov/bloodsugar.html

● Corliss, J. (2014, February 6). Eating too much added sugar increases the risk of

dying with heart disease. Retrieved from

http://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/eating-too-much-added-sugar-increases-the-

risk-of-dying-with-heart-disease-201402067021

● Dong, T., Phan, T., Nguyen, T., & Phan, D. (n.d.). The Study On Extraction And

Purification Of Mimosine From Sensitive Plant (Mimosa Pudica L.). Retrieved

from http://caab.ctu.edu.vn/dft/index.php?

option=com_docman&task=doc_download&gid=18&Itemid=63

● Evaluation of Diuretic Activity of Different Extracts of Mimosa pudica Linn. /

A.Baghel, D. S. Rathore, and V. Gupta / Pakistan Journal of Biological Sciences

16(20): 1223-1225, 2013 / DOI: 10.3923/pjbs.2013.1223.1225

● Guénet, J.-L., Orth, A., & Bonhomme, F. (2012). Chapter 1.1 - Origins and

Phylogenetic Relationships of the Laboratory Mouse. In H. J. Hedrich (Ed.), The

Laboratory Mouse (Second Edition) (pp. 3–20). Boston: Academic Press.

https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-382008-2.00001-5

● Gupta, R., Ahmad, H., Sehgal, S., & Mishra, A. (2012). Mimosa pudica L.

(Laajvanti): An overview. Pharmacognosy Reviews, 6(12), 115.

https://doi.org/10.4103/0973-7847.99945

● Islam, F., Khatun, H., Ghosh, S., Ali, M., & Khanam, J. (2012). Bioassay of

Eucalyptus extracts for anticancer activity against Ehrlich ascites carcinoma

 (eac) cells in Swiss albino mice. Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Biomedicine,

2(5), 394–398. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2221-1691(12)60063-X

● Klein, J.(2016). Plants Remember You if You Mess With Them Enough. New

York: New York Times

● Omtimes.Magazine. (2013, May 3). 12 Herbs and Foods for Lowering Blood

Glucose Naturally - OMTimes. Retrieved from http://omtimes.com/2013/05/12-

herbs-and-foods-for-lowering-blood-glucose-naturally/

● Re: What is the normal blood sugar level of a rat/white mouse? (n.d.). Retrieved

from http://www.madsci.org/posts/archives/2001-02/982242802.Zo.r.html

● Sugar and the Brain | Department of Neurobiology. (n.d.). Retrieved from

http://neuro.hms.harvard.edu/harvard-mahoney-neuroscience-institute/brain-

newsletter/and-brain-series/sugar-and-brain

● Togashi, Y., Shirakawa, J., Okuyama, T., Yamazaki, S., Kyohara, M., Miyazawa,

A., … Terauchi, Y. (2016). Evaluation of the appropriateness of using

glucometers for measuring the blood glucose levels in mice. Scientific Reports,

6(1). https://doi.org/10.1038/srep25465

● Top 5 herbs and spices that help lower blood sugar. (n.d.). Retrieved from

http://www.naturalnews.com/035590_blood_sugar_herbs_spices.html

● Togashi, Y., Shirakawa, J., Okuyama, T., Yamazaki, S., Kyohara, M., Miyazawa,

A., Terauchi, Y. (2016). Evaluation of the appropriateness of using glucometers

for measuring the blood glucose levels in mice. Scientific Reports, 6(1).

doi:10.1038/srep25465
● Sutar, S. G., Sutar, U. N., & Behera, B. C. (2009). Antidiabetic activity of the

leaves of Mimosa pudica Linn. in albino rats. Journal of Herbal Medicine and

Toxicology. Retrieved June 3, 2017, from

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/268438284_Antidiabetic_activity_of_the

_leaves_of_Mimosa_pudica_Linn_in_albino_rats.