Efek Rimpang Kunyit (Curcuma longa L.) dan Bawang Putih (Allium sativum L.) terhadap Sensitivitas Insulin pada Tikus Galur Wistar

Studies have shown the antidiabetic effect of turmeric and garlic. However their mechanism of action remain unknown. In this study, we investigated the effect of three turmeric (Curcuma longa L.) and garlic extracts (Allium sativum L.), that are, hexane, ethyl acetate and ethanol extract on blood glucose levels with glucose tolerance test. Furthermore the most effective extracts and its active compound (curcuminoid and S-methyl cysteine) tested with insulin tolerance test. Forty Wistar rats were divided into 8 groups that was normal group, group that treated with a high fat emulsion (control group) and remaining groups were treated with a high fat emulsion and turmeric extract 50 mg/kgBW, garlic extract 50 mg/kgBW, curcuminoid 25 mg/kgBW, S-methyl cysteine 25 mg/kgBW, turmeric-garlic extract combination each 25 mg/kgBW and curcuminoid-S-methyl cysteine combination each 12,5 mg/kgBW for 10 days. Insulin resistance was evaluated by insulin tolerance test. This study conducted from August–October 2010 at Sekolah Ilmu dan Teknologi Hayati (SITH) Institut Teknologi Bandung (ITB). Results of this study showed that insulin tolerance test constanta (KITT) were bigger in animals that treated with garlic extract (7.2±0.84), curcuminoid (7.14±0.74) and combination of curcuminoid-S-methyl cysteine (7.46±0.64) compared with positive control group (3.2±1.92). In conclusions garlic extract, curcuminoid and combination of curcuminoid and S-methyl cysteine improve insulin sensitivity.