Effect of Black Tea Extract on Hypoglycemia Induced by Plasmodium bergheiANKA Infection in Mice

Hypoglycemia was found as one of all causes of death in malaria disease and urgently needed to fine new drugs to treat this condition. Hence, the present study was aimed to evaluate the effect of black tea extract on hypoglycemia induced by Plasmodium berghei infection in mice. Aqueous crude extract of black tea was freshly prepared using hot water method and used for efficacy test in vivo. For in vivo test, P. berghei ANKA infected mice were given orally by gavage with 500, 1000, and 2000 mg/kg of black tea extract for 4 consecutive days. Blood glucose levels were then measured. It was found that aqueous crude extract of black tea exerted dose-dependent anti-hypoglycemic activity, especially at a dose of 2000 mg/kg showed the highest activity. Although, pyrimethamine treated group showed significantly (p<0.01) decreasing of blood glucose levels, combination treatment with black tea extract could protect and maintain blood glucose to normal level. It can be concluded that aqueous crude extract of black tea presented anti-hypoglycemic activity against P. berghei infection in mice.