In traditional medicine, several medicinal plants or their
extracts are widely used in many countries for the treatment
of diabetes such asMomordica charantiaand Tinospora
cordifolia[8]. Mulberry tree (Morus albaL. [MA]) is widely
grown throughout Thailand. Mulberry leaves are commonly
used as silkworm diet, and mulberry leaf extract has been
promoted for good health, especially in diabetic patients. An
antidiabetic activity of mulberry leaf extract in experimental
animals has been reported[9-11]. In addition, mulberry leaf
extract has been demonstrated to contain several substances
that can act as potent antioxidants or free radical scavengers
such as flavonoids and moracins[12,13]. Importantly, there
has been scientific evidence showing that the antioxidant
compounds found in mulberry leaf ethanol extract are
absorbed from the small intestine into the blood circulation
and retain their antioxidant activity in the animal [14].
Therefore, we hypothesized that by hypoglycemic and
antioxidant activities of mulberry leaf extract, the consumption of the extract might decrease blood glucose and improve
vascular reactivity of chronic diabetics. This potential would
be beneficial for the treatment and alleviation of vascular
complication in diabetic patients