Hypoglycemic effect of the aqueous extract from Acalypha argomuelleri Briq. (Euphorbiaceae) 'Sweet stick' leaves in Rattus rattus var. albinus

Jorge Guillermo Morales Ramos; Berta Loja Herrera; Néstor Manuel Rodríguez Alayo; Doyle Isabel Benel Fernández; Luis Felipe Pérez Medina; Carolina Susana Loayza Estrada; María Ema Soledad Mocarro Willis; César Sánchez Marín

doi:10.12688/f1000research.164673.2

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Research Article

Revised

Hypoglycemic effect of the aqueous extract from Acalypha argomuelleri Briq. (Euphorbiaceae) 'Sweet stick' leaves in Rattus rattus var. albinus

[version 2; peer review: 1 approved, 1 not approved]

Previously titled: Hypoglycemic effect of the aqueous extract from Acalypha argomuelleri Briq. 'Sweet stick' leaves in Rattus rattus var. albinus

Jorge Guillermo Morales Ramos ¹, Berta Loja Herrera², Néstor Manuel Rodríguez Alayo³, [...] Doyle Isabel Benel Fernández¹, Luis Felipe Pérez Medina⁴, Carolina Susana Loayza Estrada¹, María Ema Soledad Mocarro Willis⁵, César Sánchez Marín⁵

Jorge Guillermo Morales Ramos ¹, Berta Loja Herrera², [...] Néstor Manuel Rodríguez Alayo³, Doyle Isabel Benel Fernández¹, Luis Felipe Pérez Medina⁴, Carolina Susana Loayza Estrada¹, María Ema Soledad Mocarro Willis⁵, César Sánchez Marín⁵

PUBLISHED 15 Sep 2025

Author details Author details

¹ Faculty of Human Medicine, Universidad De San Martín de Porres, Lambayeque, Peru
² Faculty of Human Medicine, Universidad Mayor de San Marcos, Lima, Peru
³ Faculty of Human Medicine, Universidad Nacional Pedro Ruiz Gallo, Lambayeque, Lambayeque, Peru
⁴ Program of Human Medicine, Universidad Señor de Sipán, Lambayeque, Peru
⁵ Research Directorate, Hospital Regional Lambayeque, Lambayeque, Peru

Jorge Guillermo Morales Ramos
Roles: Conceptualization, Data Curation, Formal Analysis, Investigation, Methodology, Project Administration, Resources, Software, Supervision, Validation, Visualization, Writing – Original Draft Preparation, Writing – Review & Editing

Berta Loja Herrera
Roles: Conceptualization, Data Curation, Formal Analysis, Investigation, Methodology, Supervision, Validation, Visualization, Writing – Review & Editing

Néstor Manuel Rodríguez Alayo
Roles: Formal Analysis, Investigation, Methodology, Resources, Validation, Visualization, Writing – Original Draft Preparation

Doyle Isabel Benel Fernández
Roles: Conceptualization, Formal Analysis, Investigation, Methodology, Resources, Supervision, Validation, Visualization

Luis Felipe Pérez Medina
Roles: Data Curation, Formal Analysis, Investigation, Software, Validation, Visualization, Writing – Original Draft Preparation

Carolina Susana Loayza Estrada
Roles: Data Curation, Formal Analysis, Investigation, Methodology, Software, Validation, Writing – Review & Editing

María Ema Soledad Mocarro Willis
Roles: Data Curation, Formal Analysis, Methodology, Resources, Validation, Visualization

César Sánchez Marín
Roles: Data Curation, Formal Analysis, Software, Validation, Visualization, Writing – Review & Editing

OPEN PEER REVIEW

REVIEWER STATUS

This article is included in the Plant Science gateway.

Abstract

Introduction

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a chronic metabolic disease representing a global public health concern and is associated with severe complications such as cardiovascular and renal diseases. Although several species of the genus Acalypha have demonstrated biological activity, no prior studies have evaluated the hypoglycemic effect of Acalypha argomuelleri Briq., making this study relevant.

Method

The hypoglycemic effect of the aqueous leaf extract of A. argomuelleri Briq. (AAAE) was evaluated in an experimental model using Rattus rattus var. albinus. A randomized, prospective design was employed, consisting of a control group and three treatment groups receiving doses of 100, 150, and 300 mg/kg of the extract, respectively. Hyperglycemia was induced via oral glucose administration.

Results

The qualitative phytochemical analysis of AAAE revealed the presence of flavonoids, phenols, cardiotonic glycosides, and diterpenes, with no reducing sugars. The 300 mg/kg dose produced a significant and sustained reduction in blood glucose levels, reaching near-normal values at 90 minutes, demonstrating a dose- and time-dependent hypoglycemic effect.

Discussion

The study confirmed that AAAE has a dose-dependent hypoglycemic effect, with optimal efficacy at 300 mg/kg. This dose showed a faster and more sustained reduction in glucose levels compared to 100 and 150 mg/kg, suggesting higher efficacy at elevated concentrations. The identified flavonoids and phenols, associated with glucose metabolism modulation and pancreatic β-cell protection, likely explain the observed effect. The absence of reducing sugars indicates the hypoglycemic effect is linked to secondary metabolites.

Conclusions

The AAAE exhibited a significant dose- and time-dependent hypoglycemic effect, with optimal efficacy at 300 mg/kg after 90 minutes. These findings support the potential of A. argomuelleri Briq. as a natural alternative for blood glucose control, though further studies are needed to assess its safety and efficacy in clinical models.

Keywords

Diabetes mellitus, Hypoglycemic effect, aqueous extract, Acalypha argomuelleri Briq

Corresponding author: Jorge Guillermo Morales Ramos

Competing interests: No competing interests were disclosed.

Grant information: This research received institutional funding from the University of San Martín de Porres with project code: E21102023008.

Copyright: © 2025 Morales Ramos JG et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

How to cite: Morales Ramos JG, Loja Herrera B, Rodríguez Alayo NM et al. Hypoglycemic effect of the aqueous extract from Acalypha argomuelleri Briq. (Euphorbiaceae) 'Sweet stick' leaves in Rattus rattus var. albinus [version 2; peer review: 1 approved, 1 not approved]. F1000Research 2025, 14:800 (https://doi.org/10.12688/f1000research.164673.2) First published: 19 Aug 2025, 14:800 (https://doi.org/10.12688/f1000research.164673.1) Latest published: 15 Sep 2025, 14:800 (https://doi.org/10.12688/f1000research.164673.2)

Revised Amendments from Version 1

The reviewer’s comments were thoroughly considered, and his contributions were highly significant in improving the scientific clarity and structural consistency of our manuscript. In comparison with the first version, the revised manuscript underwent a series of focused modifications that enhanced its quality and impact. The title was refined to better reflect the experimental scope and to highlight the evaluation of the hypoglycemic effect of Acalypha argomuelleri. The introduction was expanded to include additional Peruvian plants with documented hypoglycemic activity, improving the ethnopharmacological context and reducing redundancy by merging overlapping paragraphs.
The methodological section now provides more explicit details about the procedures, ensuring reproducibility and addressing specific points raised by the reviewer regarding the analysis of phytochemical components. In particular, the description of the phytochemical screening was updated to indicate that it was conducted as a qualitative assay with a semiquantitative estimation based on the intensity of color reactions, thereby clarifying potential misinterpretations from the initial version.
Furthermore, the discussion section was enriched with a more comprehensive interpretation of the results in relation to other medicinal plants reported in the literature and now outlines the next stages of research, including toxicological studies, characterization of secondary metabolites, and prospective evaluation in diabetic models. These additions strengthen the translational relevance of the study, providing a clearer roadmap for future pharmacological development.
Overall, these modifications represent a substantial improvement over the original submission, aligning the manuscript with the reviewer’s constructive suggestions and enhancing its scientific rigor. We sincerely thank Dr. Galán for his valuable and detailed feedback, which has contributed significantly to the refinement and international relevance of our work.

See the authors' detailed response to the review by Antonio Galán de Mera

1. Introduction

The World Health Organization (WHO) defines Diabetes mellitus (DM) as a chronic metabolic disease characterized by elevated blood glucose levels. DM causes complications such as vascular diseases, heart conditions, blindness, renal failure, and neurological disorders. Type 1 diabetes (T1D), also known as insulin-dependent diabetes, is a chronic condition where the pancreas produces little or no insulin, which cannot be prevented. In contrast, Type 2 diabetes (T2D) typically occurs in adults, is the most common form, and is frequently associated with obesity. T2D can be prevented by avoiding complications and premature death.¹

In 2022, an estimated 828 million adults worldwide had DM, with prevalence increasing in 155 countries for men and 132 for women. Between 1990 and 2022, age-standardized prevalence rose from 7% to 14%, justifying the need to explore alternative treatments.²

In the Americas, 112 million adults over the age of 18 are living with DM. According to data released in a report by the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), under the heading ‘country profiles - diabetes disease burden, 2023’, revealed that DM (excluding diabetic kidney disease) increased and that the total number of deaths in 2019 was 141 812 distributed in middle-to-high income groups.³

A projection for 2045 in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) estimated that the number of people with DM would reach 49 million, with a prevalence of 11.9%. Globally, it is projected that by 2035, DM2 cases would rise to 643 million, a 50% increase from current figures.⁴ A review study concluded that individuals with T2DM in Latin American developing countries face a higher risk of cardiovascular or all-cause mortality compared to those in developed countries.⁵

Conventional therapies for DM1 include insulin administration, while DM2 relies on oral hypoglycemic agents such as metformin. The American Diabetes Association (ADA) 2024 guidelines recommend GLP-1 analogs and SGLT2 inhibitors as first-line treatments for MN2 patients with cardiovascular disease (CV), heart failure, or chronic kidney disease.⁶

Hypoglycemia has been exposed as one of the most serious adverse side effects of anti-diabetic treatments. Numerous epidemiological studies have highlighted the importance of a diet rich in plant foods including vegetables, fruits, spices and condiments in the prevention and treatment of DM. Various plants are used for their anti-diabetic and hypoglycemiant c effects, such as Morus alba L. (‘mulberry’), Juglans regia L. (‘walnut’), which are widely used throughout the world. In Peru, there is a wide diversity of plant species with hypoglycemiant effects, some of which belong to traditional medicine and are being studied for their use and toxicity.⁷

Various parts of the plant have been used to obtain extracts and identify their metabolites. Among the widely studied antidiabetic plants, M. alba “mulberry” stands out, whose metabolites present in the leaves include flavonoids such as rutin and quercetin-3-triglyceride, which were shown to have hypoglycemic and pharmacological effects on DM2 in animal models and humans, as synthesized in our ongoing phytochemical and pharmacological reviews.^8–11

Another plant to consider is A. wilkesiana Müll. Arg. whose aqueous extract prepared from its leaves revealed the presence of bioactive principles such as: coumarins, polyphenols, flavins, terpenes, tannins and saponosides, which have a potentiating effect on diabetic nephropathy.¹²

In Iran, the hydrosol of J. regia is traditionally used to regulate blood sugar in patients with DM. Various bioactive metabolites have been identified in it, including flavonoids, phenolic compounds, limonene, myrcenes, linalool, beta-pharmesene, borneol monoterpenes, caffeic acid and coumaric acids, sinapic acid, ferulic acid, juglone, 1,4-naphthoquinone, 3-3′-bisjuglone, cyclo-tri-juglone, regiolone, tripertenes, betulin and botulinic acid.^13–16

In Peru, several medicinal plants, such as Geranium ayavacense Linnaeus. and Geranium ruizii Hieron (‘pasuchaca’), are recognized in traditional medicine for their medicinal properties. These plants have demonstrated hypoglycemic effects in experimental models using hyperglycemic rats (Rattus rattus var. albinus), with leaves are used in infusions and flowers in hydroethanolic extracts. Other species with similar therapeutic properties include Psoralea glandulosa Linnaeus. (‘cullen’), Physalis angulata Linnaeus (‘mullaca’), and Smallanthus sonchifolius (Poepp.) H. Rob (‘yacón’).^17–20

Numerous studies on the genus Acalypha have demonstrated its pharmacological properties, including antimicrobial effects (A. integrifolia and A. wilkesiana), anti-inflammatory effects (A. fruticosa Forsskal.), and anticancer effects (A. monostachya).^21–24

Acalypha argomuelleri Briq., commonly known as ‘Sweet stick’, is a species distributed from Ecuador to Peru. It is a shrub that primarily grows in tropical rainforest, found in the Andean region between 2,000 and 2,800 m.s.n.m. Taxonomically, it belongs to the class Equisetopsida, subclass Magnoliidae, order Malpighiales, family Euphorbiaceae, and the genus Acalypha. Euphorbiaceae is one of the largest plant families, comprising numerous genera and approximately 6,300 species; Acalypha is the third largest genus within this family, including around 500 species.^25,26

This study aimed to assess the hypoglycemic effect of the aqueous extract of Acalypha argomuelleri Briq. (EAAA) using an experimental model, as no scientific evidence is currently available regarding its medicinal properties. Despite its traditional use in folk medicine, the therapeutic potential of this species remains unexplored in the scientific literature. Therefore, this research seeks not only to address this gap but also to investigate the potential of Acalypha. argomuelleri as a natural alternative for glycemic control—an approach that could prove beneficial for communities that rely heavily on traditional medicine.

2. Methods

The study was carried out between January and December 2024. During this period, the following stages were completed: collection and botanical identification of the plant material, conditioning and acclimatisation of the experimental animals, as well as the preparation and administration of the alcoholic extract, followed by that of the aqueous extract of Acalypha argomuelleri Briq. The experimental phase was then carried out in the experimental physiology laboratory of the Universidad Nacional Pedro Ruiz Gallo between June and December. Blood glucose measurements were taken at specific times according to the experimental design, and the data obtained were statistically analysed to evaluate the hypoglycaemic effect of the extract.

The research followed a quantitative, true experimental approach, appropriate for the study as it allows the establishment of causal relationships between the administration of the extract and changes in glucose levels. The study was prospective with a longitudinal design. A completely randomized design with control and treatment groups was used to evaluate the hypoglycemic effect of the aqueous extract of A. argomuelleri (AEAA) in hyperglycemic Rattus rattus var. albinus.

a. The rats were housed in metal cages containing sterile wood shavings. The temperature was controlled at 20–24 °C, the humidity at 50–60%, and the lighting was on a 12-hour cycle. They were fed a standard diet and had access to water at all times. No environmental enrichment was applied.
- a. The protocol avoided painful procedures. Nontoxic doses were used, and animals were monitored regularly.
- b. There were no adverse events.
- c. Humane endpoints were not established for the study as no serious harm was expected. Animals were monitored twice daily.

The corresponding permits were obtained from the National Forest and Wildlife Service (SERFOR) (Resolutions No. D000120-2023-MIDAGRI-SERFOR-ATFFS-CAJAMARCA and No. D000167-2024) for the collection of Acalypha argomuelleri Briq., as well as authorization from the Research Department of the Lambayeque Regional Hospital (HRL), including approval from the Institutional Research Ethics Committee for the use of animals (No. 026-2025).

The collection of A. argomuelleri Briq. leaves at the flowering stage were carried out in the district of Querocoto, Chota province, Peru. The leaves of the plant were used, taking into account the traditional medicinal use by the population. The coordinates of the collection area were 6°24′53″S 79°04′03″W. In situ plant samples were taken and transported to the Universidad Nacional de Trujillo, where they were deposited in the Herbarium Truxillensis (HUT) (Trujillo–La Libertad) for proper identification and registration under number 65645 on 20/09/2024.

No previous protocol was registered en a public database. The experimental design was reviewed and approved by the Hospital ethics Committee.

Preparation of the aqueous extract from Acalypha argomuelleri Briq. leaves

For the preparation of the aqueous extract of A. argomuelleri (AEAA), the method described by García-Granados²⁷ was used, which involved the following steps:

1. Drying: The leaves were cleaned and dried at room temperature until a constant weight was achieved.
2. Grinding: The dried leaves were ground until they reached an approximate size of 2 mm.
3. Extraction: 200 g of plant material were placed in 300 mL of water at 100°C for 45 minutes. Subsequently, the mixture was filtered, pressed, and reduced to a final volume of 162 mL.
4. Concentration: The liquid was dried in an oven at 42°C for 48 hours, followed by cooling in a desiccator. By weight difference, a dry residue of 16.5 g was obtained.
5. Preparation of Solutions: Based on the dry extract, 25 mL solutions were prepared at concentrations of 100, 150, and 300 mg/mL, respectively.

Phytochemical analysis

The phytochemical analysis of AEAA was performed using a spot test and classified as qualitative with semi-quantitative estimation, evaluating the intensity of the colorimetric reaction (abundant, moderate, or scarce) according to the degree of colour developed, following the method described by Dueñas-Deyá.²⁸ The presence of metabolites was determined based on specific colorimetric reactions for each group of compounds. The intensity of the color reaction indicated the presence or absence of bioactive components using the following scale:

- Absent (–)
- Present in small amount (+)
- Present in moderate amount (++)
- Present in abundance (+++)

To indicate the presence of sugars, the Benedict’s test was used following the methodology described by García-Granados.²⁷

Experimental design

The study was conducted with 33 adult rats (Rattus rattus var. albinus), aged between 4 and 6 months, weighing between 190 and 230 gr., and divided into four experimental groups. The control group initially consisted of 9 rats, while each of the three treatment groups included 8 rats. To ensure sample size homogeneity and to meet the assumptions of Analysis of Variance (ANOVA), the statistical analysis was performed considering 8 rats per group over a period of six months.

A hyperglycemic state was induced in the rats through oral administration of glucose (5 mL). Subsequently, the aqueous extract of Acalypha argomuelleri Briq. was administered orally in three different doses (100 mg/kg, 150 mg/kg, and 300 mg/kg). Blood glucose levels were recorded under preprandial conditions, first determining the basal level and then the hyperglycemic level, with measurements taken at 30, 60, and 90 minutes after extract administration. Blood glucose was measured using an ACCU-CHEK glucometer and test strips, selected for their accuracy and reliability, as supported by previous studies.

No additional environmental enrichment was applied, which is a recognized but common limitation in preclinical pharmacological studies.

Statistical analysis

Data analysis was performed using SPSS software version 22.0, applying single and double-entry statistical tests. To compare the groups, an Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) based on the “F” distribution was used for multiple comparisons, followed by Duncan’s post hoc test. Results with a p-value < 0.05 were considered statistically significant.

There was no blinding at any stage of the experiment.

3. Results

3.1 Phytochemical profile of the aqueous extract of Acalypha argomuelleri Briq.

The qualitative phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of several bioactive compounds. The results are summarized in the following table:

Constituent	Test performed	Presence in the leaf
Diterpenes	Cooper acetate test	++
Cardiotonic glycosides	Keller-Kilani test	+
Phenols	Ferric chloride test (12.5%)	+++
Flavonoids	Shinoda test	++

The qualitative phytochemical analysis revealed an abundant presence of phenols, a moderate amount of flavonoids and diterpenes, and a small quantity of cardiotonic glycosides. Reducing sugars were not detected. These findings suggest that the flavonoids and phenols present in the extract may be linked to the observed hypoglycemic effect, given their potential to modulate enzymatic activity and protect pancreatic β-cells.

3.2 Blood glucose in the control group

The blood glucose data from the control group rats (0 mL/kg), which did not receive treatment with AEAA, served as the reference baseline to compare the effects observed in the treated experimental groups. Basal glucose levels and the progressive reduction in blood glucose levels over time (30, 60, and 90 minutes) were monitored. These measurements showed variation among individuals, reflecting natural fluctuations in glucose levels.

The data observed in Table 2 showed the glucose response in rats treated with AEAA at a dose of 100 mg/kg. Basal glucose measurements ranged from 99 mg/dL to 124 mg/dL, with an average of 111 mg/dL, which were found to be within the normal range. The highest recorded hyperglycemia peak was 342 mg/dL. At 30 minutes, most rats exhibited a significant increase in blood glucose levels. By 60 minutes, a variable decrease was observed, with some rats maintaining elevated levels, and at 90 minutes, a progressive reduction occurred, though some rats retained high levels.

Table 1. Glucose response in rats treated with AEAA (Control).

Rat	Weight (g)	Basal glucose (mg/dL)	Glucose 30 min (mg/dL)	Glucose 60 min (mg/dL)	Glucose 90 min (mg/dL)
1	200	132	200	194	186
2	216	104	196	141	229
3	200	101	200	213	198
5	172	96	186	185	63
6	215	89	181	190	105
7	200	112	183	213	198
8	220	140	200	170	181
9	170	100	211	197	190

Table 2. Glucose response in rats treated with AEAA (100 mg/kg).

Acalypha argomuelleri (100 mg/kg)
Rat	Weight (g)	Extract dose (mL/kg)	Basal glucose (mg/dL)	Hyperglycemia	Glucose 30 min (mg/dL)	Glucose 60 min (mg/dL)	Glucose 90 min (mg/dL)
1	329	0.140	121	342	156	179	180
2	268	0.110	116	155	286	256	219
3	295	0.120	124	289	131	129	130
4	286	0.120	99	256	300	152	127
5	298	0.130	115	279	201	121	99
6	266	0.110	115	160	281	250	160
7	326	0.140	120	332	178	166	120
8	286	0.120	101	256	300	152	110

At this dose, AEAA appears to induce a significant hyperglycemia peak at 30 minutes in some rats, suggesting a variable response. However, glucose levels did not decrease uniformly among all rats, as some maintained elevated levels up to 90 minutes. Although the response to the 100 mg/kg dose was not entirely uniform it appears to indicate that AEAA may have a glucose-regulating effect, which acted which acted following an initial hyperglycemic peak, with some rats showing a gradual reduction in their glucose levels over time.

The results shown correspond to rats treated with AEAA at a dose of 150 mg/kg. The average basal glucose was found to be 101 mg/dL, and the hyperglycemia peak reached a maximum of 220 mg/dL. Regarding glucose progression, a less pronounced increase was observed at 30 minutes compared to the 100 mg/kg dose. By 60 minutes, a more uniform decrease was seen in most rats, and at 90 minutes, greater stability in values with a tendency toward normalization was noted. This suggests that, given the more consistent glucose reduction at 60 and 90 minutes and fewer individual fluctuations, the extract at this dose may better regulate glucose absorption, potentially making it more effective at stabilizing glucose levels ( Table 3).

Table 3. Glucose response in rats treated with AEAA (150 mg/kg).

Acalypha argomuelleri (150 mg/kg)
Rat	Weight (g)	Extract dose (mL/kg)	Basal glucose (mg/dL)	Hyperglycemia	Glucose 30 min (mg/dL)	Glucose 60 min (mg/dL)	Glucose 90 min (mg/dL)
1	385	0.288	95	206	188	165	166
2	306	0.229	102	184	158	142	148
3	287	0.215	108	162	145	134	126
4	328	0.246	96	220	158	140	118
5	288	0.216	110	188	166	145	136
6	384	0.288	106	192	169	145	133
7	285	0.215	105	194	168	133	112
8	304	0.220	100	180	147	130	105

In summary, the data from the third treatment with AEAA at a dose of 300 mg/kg indicated an average basal glucose of 78 mg/dL, while hyperglycemia peak reached a maximum of 391 mg/dL. Regarding glucose progression, extreme variability was obserbed at 30 minutes, with some rats showing high values. By 60 minutes, a more controlled decrease was observed. At 90 minutes, glucose levels were lower compared to the other doses. The interpretation, given de lower glucose levels observed, suggested that 300 mg/kg of AEAA might be the most effective dose for sustained glucose reduction and could have a long-term regulatory effect ( Table 4).

Table 4. Glucose response in rats treated with AEAA (300 mg/kg).

Acalypha argomuelleri (300 mg/kg)
Rat	Weight (g)	Extract dose (mL/kg)	Basal glucose (mg/dL)	Hyperglycemia	Glucose 30 min (mg/dL)	Glucose 60 min (mg/dL)	Glucose 90 min (mg/dL)
1	200	0.240	70	143	93	93	94
2	180	0.216	82	391	170	158	151
3	190	0.228	72	146	149	146	138
4	200	0.240	86	148	133	139	114
5	180	0.216	80	284	363	123	97
6	210	0.252	55	135	140	101	92
7	170	0.204	92	161	117	110	113
8	187	0.224	76	163	151	155	123

Table 5, analyzed the results using the arithmetic mean ( $\bar{x}$ ), standard deviation (σ), and coefficient of variation (CV), with the following interpretations:

Table 5. General Interpretation of the Mean ( $\bar{x}$ ), Standard Deviation (σ), and Coefficient of Variation (CV%) in glucose response in rats treated with AEAA.

Etapa	Weight (gr)	Basal (mg/dL)	Hyperglycemia (mg/dL) 2.5 ml glucose	30 min	60 min	90 min	N
Control (Without Extract)	$\bar{x}$ =196.09 σ=20.07 CV=10.24	$\bar{x}$ =104.89 σ=21.23 CV=20.24	$\bar{x}$ =196.78 σ=13.97 CV=7.10	$\bar{x}$ =214.33 σ=77.70 CV=36.25	$\bar{x}$ =186.89 σ=73.56 CV=39.36	$\bar{x}$ =156.56 σ=43.66 CV=27.89	9
Treatment 1 AEAA 100 mg/kg	$\bar{x}$ =294.25 σ=23.46 CV=7.97	$\bar{x}$ =113.88 σ=9.14 CV=8.03	$\bar{x}$ =258.63 σ=69.85 CV=27.01	$\bar{x}$ =229.13 σ=70.05 CV=30.57	$\bar{x}$ =175.63 σ=51.23 CV=29.17	$\bar{x}$ =143.13 σ=40.38 CV=28.91	8
Treatment 2 AEAA 150 mg/kg	$\bar{x}$ =320.88 σ=41.69 CV=12.99	$\bar{x}$ =102.75 σ=5.47 CV=5.32	$\bar{x}$ =190.75 σ=17.30 CV=9.07	$\bar{x}$ =162.38 σ=13.74 CV=8.46	$\bar{x}$ =141.75 σ=10.95 CV=7.73	$\bar{x}$ =130.50 σ=19.90 CV=15.25	8
Treatment 3 AEAA 300 mg/kg	$\bar{x}$ =189.63 σ=13.14 CV=6.93	$\bar{x}$ =76.63 σ=11.33 CV=14.78	$\bar{x}$ =196.38 σ=92.13 CV=46.92	$\bar{x}$ =164.50 σ=83.51 CV=50.77	$\bar{x}$ =128.13 σ=25.01 CV=19.52	$\bar{x}$ =115.25 σ=21.34 CV=18.52	8

Low CV (<10%): Homogeneous data, stable response.

Moderate CV (10%–30%): Acceptable variability.

High CV (>30%): High dispersion, unstable response.

For glucose variation without AEAA application (Day 0), a normal response curve was observed following glucose administration, showing an initial high peak (214.33 mg/dL) and a progressive reduction as metabolism progressed. The high CV in subsequent minutes suggested individual differences in glucose metabolism.

Regarding the glucose variation across the three treatments, the results are presented as follows:

Treatment 1 with 100 mg/kg

The variability analysis revealed a high CV in the glucose response, indicating that the 100 mg/kg dose of the extract did not regulate glucose homogeneously, as hyperglycemia remained elevated and variable.

Treatment 2 with 150 mg/kg

EAAA at 150 mg/kg stabilized glucose more effectively compared to the 100 mg/kg dose, reducing hyperglycemia in a more homogeneous and controlled manner. This was attributed to a more consistent decrease in glucose levels, with low variability observed in post-administration values.

Treatment 3 with 300 mg/kg

At this dose, basal glucose levels were the lowest, suggesting that the extract may have a long-term hypoglycemic effect. An extremely high CV% was observed in the first 30 minutes, indicating inconsistent initial effects of the 300 mg/kg dose across individuals. However, glucose levels progressively decreased by 90 minutes, leveling off and showing a sustained reduction. These values were the lowest among all groups, suggesting that this dose was the most effective for long-term glucose regulation.

Regarding the statistical tests to assess the presence of significant differences in glucose levels at 30, 60, and 90 minutes among the experimental groups (Control, 100 mg/kg, 150 mg/kg, and 300 mg/kg of AEAA), an analysis of variance (ANOVA) and the Waller-Duncan multiple range test were performed. The ANOVA in Table 6 showed significant differences among the treatments (p = 0.000), indicating that at least one group exhibited a distinct response in glucose reduction.

Table 6. ANOVA of glucose response in rats treated with AEAA.

	Source of variation	Sum of squares	df	Mean square	F	Sig. (p-value)
Mg/dL	Entre grupos	37823.083	2	18911.542	8.524	0.000
	Dentro de grupos	206326.156	93	2218.561
		244149.240	95

The Duncan test (Alpha = 0.05) ( Table 7) was used to identify differences between groups. The results revealed that the 300 mg/kg dose showed a significant difference compared to the control group, indicating that this treatment at 90 minutes produced a significant reduction in blood glucose levels compared to untreated rats. At 60 minutes, the same treatment exhibited an intermediate effect but remained significantly different from the 30 minutes time point, which the least effective.

Table 7. Results of the duncan test for blood glucose levels at 30, 60 and 90 minutes.

Waller-Duncan
Glucose	Sample size (N)	Subset for α = 0.05
Glucose	Sample size (N)	1	2
90 min	32	139.41
60 min	32	158.34	158.34
30 min	32		187.66

In contrast, the 100 mg/kg and 150 mg/kg doses showed no significant differences compared to the control group, suggesting they may not be sufficiently effective to impact blood glucose reduction. A practical interpretation de AEAA’s efficacy highlights the importance of higher doses (e.g., 300 mg/kg), which may be necessary to achieve a more consistent and effective effect.

A realistic interpretation of EAAA’s efficacy would suggest the importance of higher concentrations, which may be necessary to achieve a more consistent and effective therapeutic effect.

4. Discussion

Phytochemical analysis of A. argomuelleri leaves revealed the presence of flavonoids in moderate proportions, high levels of phenolic compounds, and the absence of sugars. This bioactives compounds, commonly found in other Acalypha species, may have been responsible for the observed effects on glucose regulation due to their highly significant hypoglycemic medicinal properties. Previous studies have documented that the hypoglycemic effects of plants associated with the presence of flavonoids and phenols, for example M. alba y A. wilkesiana, are often attributed to their ability to enhance the function of pancreatic tissue, specifically the β-cells. This effect may be achieved either by stimulating insulins secretion or by reducing intestinal glucose absorption.^12,29

These results ( Table 1) suggest that, in the absence of AEAA, the glycemic homeostasis of the rats remained relatively stable over time, although individual fluctuations were observed. Such variations could be influenced by physiological factors such as basal metabolism, prior diet, or compensatory responses to fasting before treatment administration.³⁰

The results obtained with AEAA at a dose of 100 mg/kg showed a variable response in blood glucose levels in rats, indicating a partially regulatory effect with individual differences in response and, consequently, a lack of uniformity in outcomes. This variability could be related to the action of the extract´s bioactive compounds—mainly flavonoids and phenols—which are known to modulate glucose metabolism. Additionally, these variations might be attributed to genetic factors, differences in extract absorption, or the complexity of interactions involving flavonoids and phenols.³¹

At a dose of 150 mg/kg, a progressive decrease in blood glucose levels was observed in most rats, reaching near-normal values at 60 and 90 minutes. The lower individual variability and grater stability in glucose levels at 90 minutes suggest that this dose of AEAA may be more effectively modulating glucose absorption and metabolism than the 100 mg/kg dose. This effect could be attributed to the action of bioactive compounds, primarily flavonoids and phenols, which according to various studies, can influence glycemic homeostasis through mechanisms such as the inhibition of digestive enzymes (α-glucosidase y la α-amylase) and stimulation of insulin secretion.³² Furthermore, the observed response in this treatment indicates that, although the effect is significant, individual differences persist, which may be linked to genetic factors or variations in the absorption and bioavailability of the extract.³³

In contrast, the results obtained with AEAA at a dose of 300 mg/kg showed a faster, sustained, and more uniform reduction in blood glucose levels. The average basal glucose recorded before hyperglycemia induction was 78 mg/dL reaching a peak of 391 mg/dL, which is characteristic of the experimental model. However, by 90 minutes glucose values were significantly lower compared to other treatments, suggesting that this dose has a more pronounced and long-lasting hypoglycemic effect.

This more consistent response could be linked to a higher concentration of bioactive compounds that optimize glucose utilization in peripheral tissues, promoting more effective regulation of glycemic homeostasis.³⁴ Additionally, it has been proposed that flavonoids and phenols present in Acalypha species not only stimulate insulin secretion but also protect pancreatic β-cells by reducing oxidative stress and modulating the expression of pro- and anti-apoptotic genes.^35,36

The 300 mg/kg dose demonstrated the highest hypoglycemic efficacy, with a sustained reduction in blood glucose levels to near-normoglycemia values at 90 minutes. This finding combined with the absence of reducing sugars in the extract, suggests that the optimal concentration of flavonoids (++) and phenols (+++) may act effectively through a multifactorial mechanism targeting multiple metabolic pathways: (1) inhibition of α-glucosidase, (2) modulation of intestinal glucose absorption, and (3) protection of pancreatic β-cells against oxidative stress — key mechanisms associated with antidiabetic effects in plants such as M. alba and other Acalypha species.⁸

However, the variability observed (CV > 50% at 30 minutes) highlights the influence of individual factors such as basal metabolism, bioavailability of active compounds, and hormonal fluctuations,³⁷ which could affect treatment response and therapeutical efficacy. Future studies—including a comprehensive phytochemical analysis and chronic diabetes models—will clarify whether A. argomuelleri Briq. Possesses additional antidiabetic effects (e.g., improvement insulin resistance or reduction of systemic oxidative stress). Current evidence indicates that the hypoglycemic effect of AEAA is dose-dependent, suggesting that the highest dose is the most effective long-term. This finding aligns with other studies in experimental models, where doses ranging from 200 to 500 mg/kg showed significant glucose reduction by 120 minutes.^38–40

Eight rats per group were used, which is an adequate and commonly accepted number in preclinical pharmacological evaluation studies. This sample size allowed statistically significant differences to be observed between groups, although it is recognized that further studies with larger samples could strengthen the evidence and facilitate the exploration of additional mechanisms.

While the results obtained provide evidence of the hypoglycemic effect of A. argomuelleri Briq., it is important to note that this study was conducted in an experimental model using healthy albino rats. Future studies could evaluate the extract´s impact on induced diabetes models to determine its effectiveness under pathological conditions. Additionally, more detailed phytochemical analyses would be relevant to identify the compounds responsible for the hypoglycemic effect and elucidate their mechanism of action.

Taken together, these findings suggest that AEAA could represent a natural alternative in complementary medicine for blood glucose control, with potential therapeutic applications in the management of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Even though EAAA showed a significant hypoglycaemic effect in the animal model, it is not possible to assign a percentage of efficacy in humans without conducting controlled clinical studies. It would be prudent, and by analogy with other phytochemicals used as adjuvants, to consider that it would have a modest effect as a complementary therapy, provided that standardised extracts are available. The next phase of this study will involve evaluating the antidiabetic effect in a specific animal model for DM2 and, in addition, characterising the specific bioactive metabolites by conducting toxicological studies to ensure their safety and identify the compounds responsible for the observed activity. Likewise, in order to move towards a marketable pharmaceutical product, sequential steps are required, including standardisation under GMP (Good Manufacturing Practices) standards, pharmacokinetics and clinical trials in all phases.

It is suggested that the findings could be a basis for studies in other animal models or in humans, although a direct clinical application is not yet proposed.

5. Conclusions

This study represents a pioneering contribution to the evaluation of the hypoglycemic effect of the aqueous extract of Acalypha argomuelleri Briq. (AEAA) in albino rats, as o prior documented research exists on the species in relation to blood glucose regulation. The key findings are as follows:

• The aqueous extract of Acalypha argomuelleri Briq. At a dose of 300 mg/kg, significantly reduced blood glucose levels in Rattus rattus var. albinus compared to the control group, demonstrating a dose-dependent hypoglycemic effect.
• The efficacy of the aqueous extract of Acalypha argomuelleri Briq. Increased with treatment duration, showing a progressive reduction in glucose levels due to its cumulative and sustained effect.
• The 90 minute treatment exhibited the greatest reduction in glucose levels, representing the optimal timepoint to maximize the hypoglycemic effect without inducing adverse effects.

Ethical considerations

Data availability statement

Underlying data

Zenodo. Hypoglycemic effect of the aqueous extract from Acalypha argomuelleri Briq. ‘Sweet stick’ leaves in Rattus rattus var. albinus, https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.16732470.⁴¹

This project contains the following underlying data:

• TOLERANCE TEST DATABASE (Excel file).xlsx (Individual blood glucose data in rats by experimental group and day of evaluation).
• ANOVA DATA SPSS.spv - (Results of the ANOVA analysis applying SPSS to the experimental data).
• Duncan_Acalypha_test (1).txt - (Results of the Duncan/Tukey post hoc test with detailed statistical significance by pairs).
• BASE DOF DATES TEST OF TOLERANCE.xlsx
• MEDIA, DS Y CV ACALYPHA.docx
• RESAULTS JANUARY 31.pdf

The data is available under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International licence (CC BY 4.0).

Reporting guidelines

Zenodo. Hypoglycemic effect of the aqueous extract from Acalypha argomuelleri Briq. ‘Sweet stick’ leaves in Rattus rattus var. albinus, https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.16732470.⁴¹

This project contains the following underlying data:

Author Checklist - Full 19_07_25.pdf

The data is available under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International licence (CC BY 4.0).

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Version 2

VERSION 2 PUBLISHED 19 Aug 2025

Author details Author details

Berta Loja Herrera
Roles: Conceptualization, Data Curation, Formal Analysis, Investigation, Methodology, Supervision, Validation, Visualization, Writing – Review & Editing

Néstor Manuel Rodríguez Alayo
Roles: Formal Analysis, Investigation, Methodology, Resources, Validation, Visualization, Writing – Original Draft Preparation

Doyle Isabel Benel Fernández
Roles: Conceptualization, Formal Analysis, Investigation, Methodology, Resources, Supervision, Validation, Visualization

Luis Felipe Pérez Medina
Roles: Data Curation, Formal Analysis, Investigation, Software, Validation, Visualization, Writing – Original Draft Preparation

Carolina Susana Loayza Estrada
Roles: Data Curation, Formal Analysis, Investigation, Methodology, Software, Validation, Writing – Review & Editing

María Ema Soledad Mocarro Willis
Roles: Data Curation, Formal Analysis, Methodology, Resources, Validation, Visualization

César Sánchez Marín
Roles: Data Curation, Formal Analysis, Software, Validation, Visualization, Writing – Review & Editing

Competing interests

No competing interests were disclosed.

Grant information

This research received institutional funding from the University of San Martín de Porres with project code: E21102023008.

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Morales Ramos JG, Loja Herrera B, Rodríguez Alayo NM et al. Hypoglycemic effect of the aqueous extract from Acalypha argomuelleri Briq. (Euphorbiaceae) 'Sweet stick' leaves in Rattus rattus var. albinus [version 2; peer review: 1 approved, 1 not approved]. F1000Research 2025, 14:800 (https://doi.org/10.12688/f1000research.164673.2)

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Reviewer Report 16 Sep 2025

Antonio Galán de Mera, Universidad San Pablo-CEU, Madrid, Spain

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Reviewer Report 08 Sep 2025

Aku Enam Motto, University of Lomé, Lomé, Togo

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https://doi.org/10.5256/f1000research.181218.r407373

RESEARCH ARTICLE
Hypoglycemic effect of the aqueous extract from Acalypha argomuelleri Briq. 'Sweet stick' leaves in Rattus rattus var. albinus

Abstract
Introduction
Reformulate it
Material and methods
The authors should follow the structure for more clarification and understanding
Animals
Plant collection and identification
Preparation of the aqueous extract
Phytochemical screening
This is a qualitative test, so there is no need to write +++ or ---
Absence - and Presence +
Experimental design
The authors should mention the dose of glucose administered to the rats
The authors did not mention whether the manipulation occurred in fasted rats or not
Precision of the sex of the animals is also needed.
The measurement of the glycemia must be extended in 2 hours ( 30 min, 60 min, 60 min; 120 and 180 min)
For this kind of evaluation of the hypoglycemic activity, there are a lot of adequate protocols nowadays
(refer to 1&2)
For a better understanding, the authors must complete the test.
Statistical analysis

Is the work clearly and accurately presented and does it cite the current literature?

Partly
Is the study design appropriate and is the work technically sound?

Partly
Are sufficient details of methods and analysis provided to allow replication by others?

No
If applicable, is the statistical analysis and its interpretation appropriate?

Yes
Are all the source data underlying the results available to ensure full reproducibility?

No source data required
Are the conclusions drawn adequately supported by the results?

Partly

References

1. Agalatossi H, Motto A, Lawson-Evi P, Eklu-Gadegbeku K: Antihyperglycemic and Antioxidant Properties of Sida linifolia Juss. ex Cav. (Malvaceae) Hydroalcoholic Extract in ICR Mice. Asian Science Bulletin. 2025; 3 (1): 8-19 Publisher Full Text
2. Dackey Y, Hanvi D, Motto A, Atchou K, et al.: Potential Anti-hyperglycemic Activity of the Polyherbal Combination of Carica papaya L., Persea americana Mill., and Theobroma cacao L. Leaves Extract: In vitro, Ex vivo, In vivo Studies. Journal of Advances in Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences. 2025; 27 (2): 54-66 Publisher Full Text

Competing Interests: No competing interests were disclosed.

Reviewer Expertise: Physiology, Pharmacology, toxicology

I confirm that I have read this submission and believe that I have an appropriate level of expertise to state that I do not consider it to be of an acceptable scientific standard, for reasons outlined above.

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Reviewer Report 03 Sep 2025

Antonio Galán de Mera, Universidad San Pablo-CEU, Madrid, Spain

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https://doi.org/10.5256/f1000research.181218.r410405

I think this is a very interesting type of manuscript that scientifically demonstrates the traditional use of certain plants in Peru that could be adopted by occidental medicine. Perhaps it would be useful to indicate whether the extracts could have secondary effects (although this is not the aim of this work) and what the subsequent steps would be in order to develop a pharmaceutical preparation.
Although it is a pharmacological manuscript, the botanical aspects of the plant should be dealt with in more detail. For example, the way in which its ecology is dealt with is very superficial, when it is precisely a natural resource that could lead to the establishment of a nature reserve.
Other points:
In the title, add the family after Acalypha argomuelleri Briq. (Euphorbiaceae).
The caption for Table 6 should be in English.
In paragraph 6 of the introduction, I believe that if the new plant that causes hypoglycaemia is Peruvian, more plants from Peru that cause this effect should be added, and not just Geranium ayavacense. Furthermore, three paragraphs below, a very similar paragraph is repeated, and what is detailed in it should be included here. Join two paragraphs.
In paragraph 7, line 4: THESE ARE NOT SYSTEMATIC REVIEWS OF PLANTS (BOTANICAL EXPRESSION), THEY ARE PHYTOCHEMICAL AND PHARMACOLOGICAL REVIEWS: It should be stated: as synthesised in our ongoing phytochemical and pharmacological reviews.

Paragraph 12 and 13 of the introduction:
'the humid tropical biome': This is taken from IPNI, but IPNI is not accurate for ecological data. What is its distribution in Peru? Add some bibliographical references about its distribution. There is no humid tropical biome. It should be indicated whether it is a humid tropical forest, humid tropical shrubs, a savannah-type forest, etc., and also the bibliographical reference from which this information is taken. IF WE ARE DISCUSSING ABOUT A NATURAL RESOURCE, IT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO CORRECTLY INDICATE THE ECOLOGICAL CONDITIONS OF THE LOCATION. A PHARMACOLOGICAL STUDY CAN LEAD TO A WHOLE CONSERVATION STRATEGY.
'traditional use in folk medicine': What is it used for in traditional medicine? Please specify it, and add a bibliographical reference.
Methods, paragraph 5: WHY HAVE ONLY THE LEAVES BEEN USED? AND WHY HAVE THEY BEEN COLLECTED WHEN THE PLANT IS IN BLOOM? PERHAPS BECAUSE THAT IS HOW IT IS DONE IN TRADITIONAL MEDICINE? THE REASON SHOULD BE STATED.
In that paragraph, after Peru: Cajamarca Department, Peru. Also add coordinates and date of collection. National University of Trujillo: Is the registered name IN ENGLISH? OR IS IT UNIVERSIDAD NACIONAL DE TRUJILLO?
After registration, the voucher number must be added to the HUT herbarium, which is the acronym for the herbarium.
Discussion: Phytochemical analysis: The intensity of the color reaction qualitatively indicated...but also quantitative? I believe you are showing colour intensity according to quantity, so wouldn't that also be quantitative analysis? Furthermore, in paragraph 2 of the results, the authors wrote the sentence ‘Qualitative phytochemical analysis revealed an abundant presence of phenols, a moderate amount of flavonoids and diterpenes, and a small quantity of cardiotonic glycosides’.
Discussion, paragraph 1: The authors wrote: 'Previous studies have documented that the hypoglycemic effects of plants associated' Which plants?
Paragraph 10 of the discussion states: 'Taken together, these findings suggest that AEAA could represent a natural alternative in complementary medicine for blood glucose control, with potential therapeutic applications in the management of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).
However further studies are required to validate its efficacy in humans.' What success rate could extracts from this plant have in humans, considering that it is used in traditional medicine? Could a medicine be manufactured that could be dispensed in pharmacies? These would be interesting points to add to the discussion.

Is the work clearly and accurately presented and does it cite the current literature?

Yes
Is the study design appropriate and is the work technically sound?

Yes
Are sufficient details of methods and analysis provided to allow replication by others?

Yes
If applicable, is the statistical analysis and its interpretation appropriate?

Yes
Are all the source data underlying the results available to ensure full reproducibility?

Yes
Are the conclusions drawn adequately supported by the results?

Yes

Competing Interests: No competing interests were disclosed.

Reviewer Expertise: Plant systematics, Biogeography, Pharmacognosy.

I confirm that I have read this submission and believe that I have an appropriate level of expertise to confirm that it is of an acceptable scientific standard.

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Author Response 15 Sep 2025

Jorge Guillermo Morales Ramos, Faculty of Human Medicine, Universidad De San Martín de Porres, Lambayeque, Peru

15 Sep 2025

Author Response

1. In the title, add the family after Acalypha argomuelleri Briq. (Euphorbiaceae).
Answer: The addition suggested by the reviewer was made.

2. The caption for Table 6 should be in English.
Answer: The legend for ... Continue reading 1. In the title, add the family after Acalypha argomuelleri Briq. (Euphorbiaceae).
Answer: The addition suggested by the reviewer was made.

2. The caption for Table 6 should be in English.
Answer: The legend for Table 6 was translated.

3. In paragraph 6 of the introduction, I believe that if the new plant that causes hypoglycaemia is Peruvian, more plants from Peru that cause this effect should be added, and not just Geranium ayavacense. Furthermore, three paragraphs below, a very similar paragraph is repeated, and what is detailed in it should be included here. Join two paragraphs.
Answer:The suggested paragraphs were merged, mentioning some plants of Peruvian origin that were already mentioned in the article.

4. In paragraph 7, line 4: THESE ARE NOT SYSTEMATIC REVIEWS OF PLANTS (BOTANICAL EXPRESSION), THEY ARE PHYTOCHEMICAL AND PHARMACOLOGICAL REVIEWS: It should be stated: as synthesised in our ongoing phytochemical and pharmacological reviews.
Answer: The reviewer's suggestion has been added to the text.

5. Paragraph 12 and 13 of the introduction:
'the humid tropical biome': This is taken from IPNI, but IPNI is not accurate for ecological data. What is its distribution in Peru? Add some bibliographical references about its distribution. There is no humid tropical biome. It should be indicated whether it is a humid tropical forest, humid tropical shrubs, a savannah-type forest, etc., and also the bibliographical reference from which this information is taken. IF WE ARE DISCUSSING ABOUT A NATURAL RESOURCE, IT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO CORRECTLY INDICATE THE ECOLOGICAL CONDITIONS OF THE LOCATION. A PHARMACOLOGICAL STUDY CAN LEAD TO A WHOLE CONSERVATION STRATEGY.
Answer: The additions suggested by the reviewer were made, indicating the ecology of the plant, its use and traditional preparation.

6. 'traditional use in folk medicine': What is it used for in traditional medicine? Please specify it, and add a bibliographical reference.
Answer: The reviewer's suggestion was accepted and the reference was added.

7. Methods, paragraph 5: WHY HAVE ONLY THE LEAVES BEEN USED? AND WHY HAVE THEY BEEN COLLECTED WHEN THE PLANT IS IN BLOOM? PERHAPS BECAUSE THAT IS HOW IT IS DONE IN TRADITIONAL MEDICINE? THE REASON SHOULD BE STATED.
In that paragraph, after Peru: Cajamarca Department, Peru. Also add coordinates and date of collection. National University of Trujillo: Is the registered name IN ENGLISH? OR IS IT UNIVERSIDAD NACIONAL DE TRUJILLO?
After registration, the voucher number must be added to the HUT herbarium, which is the acronym for the herbarium.
Answer: The relevant corrections were made, adding the use and preparation of the plant, as well as an explanation of how the leaves were used in the experiment. Coordinates and the date of collection were also added, according to the herbarium voucher.

Discussion:
8. Phytochemical analysis: The intensity of the color reaction qualitatively indicated...but also quantitative? I believe you are showing colour intensity according to quantity, so wouldn't that also be quantitative analysis? Furthermore, in paragraph 2 of the results, the authors wrote the sentence ‘Qualitative phytochemical analysis revealed an abundant presence of phenols, a moderate amount of flavonoids and diterpenes, and a small quantity of cardiotonic glycosides’.
Answer: The suggestion to replace qualitative phytochemical analysis with semi-quantitative phytochemical analysis is accepted.

Discussion, paragraph 1: The authors wrote: 'Previous studies have documented that the hypoglycemic effects of plants associated' Which plants?
Paragraph 10 of the discussion states: 'Taken together, these findings suggest that AEAA could represent a natural alternative in complementary medicine for blood glucose control, with potential therapeutic applications in the management of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).
However further studies are required to validate its efficacy in humans.' What success rate could extracts from this plant have in humans, considering that it is used in traditional medicine? Could a medicine be manufactured that could be dispensed in pharmacies? These would be interesting points to add to the discussion.
Answer: We thank the reviewer for the clarification and suggestion regarding the structure of the paragraph, and the relevant changes have been made in the paragraphs 1 y 10.
1. In the title, add the family after Acalypha argomuelleri Briq. (Euphorbiaceae).
Answer: The addition suggested by the reviewer was made.

2. The caption for Table 6 should be in English.
Answer: The legend for Table 6 was translated.

3. In paragraph 6 of the introduction, I believe that if the new plant that causes hypoglycaemia is Peruvian, more plants from Peru that cause this effect should be added, and not just Geranium ayavacense. Furthermore, three paragraphs below, a very similar paragraph is repeated, and what is detailed in it should be included here. Join two paragraphs.
Answer:The suggested paragraphs were merged, mentioning some plants of Peruvian origin that were already mentioned in the article.

4. In paragraph 7, line 4: THESE ARE NOT SYSTEMATIC REVIEWS OF PLANTS (BOTANICAL EXPRESSION), THEY ARE PHYTOCHEMICAL AND PHARMACOLOGICAL REVIEWS: It should be stated: as synthesised in our ongoing phytochemical and pharmacological reviews.
Answer: The reviewer's suggestion has been added to the text.

5. Paragraph 12 and 13 of the introduction:
'the humid tropical biome': This is taken from IPNI, but IPNI is not accurate for ecological data. What is its distribution in Peru? Add some bibliographical references about its distribution. There is no humid tropical biome. It should be indicated whether it is a humid tropical forest, humid tropical shrubs, a savannah-type forest, etc., and also the bibliographical reference from which this information is taken. IF WE ARE DISCUSSING ABOUT A NATURAL RESOURCE, IT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO CORRECTLY INDICATE THE ECOLOGICAL CONDITIONS OF THE LOCATION. A PHARMACOLOGICAL STUDY CAN LEAD TO A WHOLE CONSERVATION STRATEGY.
Answer: The additions suggested by the reviewer were made, indicating the ecology of the plant, its use and traditional preparation.

6. 'traditional use in folk medicine': What is it used for in traditional medicine? Please specify it, and add a bibliographical reference.
Answer: The reviewer's suggestion was accepted and the reference was added.

7. Methods, paragraph 5: WHY HAVE ONLY THE LEAVES BEEN USED? AND WHY HAVE THEY BEEN COLLECTED WHEN THE PLANT IS IN BLOOM? PERHAPS BECAUSE THAT IS HOW IT IS DONE IN TRADITIONAL MEDICINE? THE REASON SHOULD BE STATED.
In that paragraph, after Peru: Cajamarca Department, Peru. Also add coordinates and date of collection. National University of Trujillo: Is the registered name IN ENGLISH? OR IS IT UNIVERSIDAD NACIONAL DE TRUJILLO?
After registration, the voucher number must be added to the HUT herbarium, which is the acronym for the herbarium.
Answer: The relevant corrections were made, adding the use and preparation of the plant, as well as an explanation of how the leaves were used in the experiment. Coordinates and the date of collection were also added, according to the herbarium voucher.

Discussion:
8. Phytochemical analysis: The intensity of the color reaction qualitatively indicated...but also quantitative? I believe you are showing colour intensity according to quantity, so wouldn't that also be quantitative analysis? Furthermore, in paragraph 2 of the results, the authors wrote the sentence ‘Qualitative phytochemical analysis revealed an abundant presence of phenols, a moderate amount of flavonoids and diterpenes, and a small quantity of cardiotonic glycosides’.
Answer: The suggestion to replace qualitative phytochemical analysis with semi-quantitative phytochemical analysis is accepted.

Discussion, paragraph 1: The authors wrote: 'Previous studies have documented that the hypoglycemic effects of plants associated' Which plants?
Paragraph 10 of the discussion states: 'Taken together, these findings suggest that AEAA could represent a natural alternative in complementary medicine for blood glucose control, with potential therapeutic applications in the management of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).
However further studies are required to validate its efficacy in humans.' What success rate could extracts from this plant have in humans, considering that it is used in traditional medicine? Could a medicine be manufactured that could be dispensed in pharmacies? These would be interesting points to add to the discussion.
Answer: We thank the reviewer for the clarification and suggestion regarding the structure of the paragraph, and the relevant changes have been made in the paragraphs 1 y 10.
Competing Interests: None Close
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COMMENTS ON THIS REPORT

Author Response 15 Sep 2025

Jorge Guillermo Morales Ramos, Faculty of Human Medicine, Universidad De San Martín de Porres, Lambayeque, Peru

15 Sep 2025

Author Response

1. In the title, add the family after Acalypha argomuelleri Briq. (Euphorbiaceae).
Answer: The addition suggested by the reviewer was made.

2. The caption for Table 6 should be in English.
Answer: The legend for ... Continue reading 1. In the title, add the family after Acalypha argomuelleri Briq. (Euphorbiaceae).
Answer: The addition suggested by the reviewer was made.

2. The caption for Table 6 should be in English.
Answer: The legend for Table 6 was translated.

3. In paragraph 6 of the introduction, I believe that if the new plant that causes hypoglycaemia is Peruvian, more plants from Peru that cause this effect should be added, and not just Geranium ayavacense. Furthermore, three paragraphs below, a very similar paragraph is repeated, and what is detailed in it should be included here. Join two paragraphs.
Answer:The suggested paragraphs were merged, mentioning some plants of Peruvian origin that were already mentioned in the article.

4. In paragraph 7, line 4: THESE ARE NOT SYSTEMATIC REVIEWS OF PLANTS (BOTANICAL EXPRESSION), THEY ARE PHYTOCHEMICAL AND PHARMACOLOGICAL REVIEWS: It should be stated: as synthesised in our ongoing phytochemical and pharmacological reviews.
Answer: The reviewer's suggestion has been added to the text.

5. Paragraph 12 and 13 of the introduction:
'the humid tropical biome': This is taken from IPNI, but IPNI is not accurate for ecological data. What is its distribution in Peru? Add some bibliographical references about its distribution. There is no humid tropical biome. It should be indicated whether it is a humid tropical forest, humid tropical shrubs, a savannah-type forest, etc., and also the bibliographical reference from which this information is taken. IF WE ARE DISCUSSING ABOUT A NATURAL RESOURCE, IT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO CORRECTLY INDICATE THE ECOLOGICAL CONDITIONS OF THE LOCATION. A PHARMACOLOGICAL STUDY CAN LEAD TO A WHOLE CONSERVATION STRATEGY.
Answer: The additions suggested by the reviewer were made, indicating the ecology of the plant, its use and traditional preparation.

6. 'traditional use in folk medicine': What is it used for in traditional medicine? Please specify it, and add a bibliographical reference.
Answer: The reviewer's suggestion was accepted and the reference was added.

7. Methods, paragraph 5: WHY HAVE ONLY THE LEAVES BEEN USED? AND WHY HAVE THEY BEEN COLLECTED WHEN THE PLANT IS IN BLOOM? PERHAPS BECAUSE THAT IS HOW IT IS DONE IN TRADITIONAL MEDICINE? THE REASON SHOULD BE STATED.
In that paragraph, after Peru: Cajamarca Department, Peru. Also add coordinates and date of collection. National University of Trujillo: Is the registered name IN ENGLISH? OR IS IT UNIVERSIDAD NACIONAL DE TRUJILLO?
After registration, the voucher number must be added to the HUT herbarium, which is the acronym for the herbarium.
Answer: The relevant corrections were made, adding the use and preparation of the plant, as well as an explanation of how the leaves were used in the experiment. Coordinates and the date of collection were also added, according to the herbarium voucher.

Discussion:
8. Phytochemical analysis: The intensity of the color reaction qualitatively indicated...but also quantitative? I believe you are showing colour intensity according to quantity, so wouldn't that also be quantitative analysis? Furthermore, in paragraph 2 of the results, the authors wrote the sentence ‘Qualitative phytochemical analysis revealed an abundant presence of phenols, a moderate amount of flavonoids and diterpenes, and a small quantity of cardiotonic glycosides’.
Answer: The suggestion to replace qualitative phytochemical analysis with semi-quantitative phytochemical analysis is accepted.

Discussion, paragraph 1: The authors wrote: 'Previous studies have documented that the hypoglycemic effects of plants associated' Which plants?
Paragraph 10 of the discussion states: 'Taken together, these findings suggest that AEAA could represent a natural alternative in complementary medicine for blood glucose control, with potential therapeutic applications in the management of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).
However further studies are required to validate its efficacy in humans.' What success rate could extracts from this plant have in humans, considering that it is used in traditional medicine? Could a medicine be manufactured that could be dispensed in pharmacies? These would be interesting points to add to the discussion.
Answer: We thank the reviewer for the clarification and suggestion regarding the structure of the paragraph, and the relevant changes have been made in the paragraphs 1 y 10.
1. In the title, add the family after Acalypha argomuelleri Briq. (Euphorbiaceae).
Answer: The addition suggested by the reviewer was made.

2. The caption for Table 6 should be in English.
Answer: The legend for Table 6 was translated.

3. In paragraph 6 of the introduction, I believe that if the new plant that causes hypoglycaemia is Peruvian, more plants from Peru that cause this effect should be added, and not just Geranium ayavacense. Furthermore, three paragraphs below, a very similar paragraph is repeated, and what is detailed in it should be included here. Join two paragraphs.
Answer:The suggested paragraphs were merged, mentioning some plants of Peruvian origin that were already mentioned in the article.

4. In paragraph 7, line 4: THESE ARE NOT SYSTEMATIC REVIEWS OF PLANTS (BOTANICAL EXPRESSION), THEY ARE PHYTOCHEMICAL AND PHARMACOLOGICAL REVIEWS: It should be stated: as synthesised in our ongoing phytochemical and pharmacological reviews.
Answer: The reviewer's suggestion has been added to the text.

5. Paragraph 12 and 13 of the introduction:
'the humid tropical biome': This is taken from IPNI, but IPNI is not accurate for ecological data. What is its distribution in Peru? Add some bibliographical references about its distribution. There is no humid tropical biome. It should be indicated whether it is a humid tropical forest, humid tropical shrubs, a savannah-type forest, etc., and also the bibliographical reference from which this information is taken. IF WE ARE DISCUSSING ABOUT A NATURAL RESOURCE, IT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO CORRECTLY INDICATE THE ECOLOGICAL CONDITIONS OF THE LOCATION. A PHARMACOLOGICAL STUDY CAN LEAD TO A WHOLE CONSERVATION STRATEGY.
Answer: The additions suggested by the reviewer were made, indicating the ecology of the plant, its use and traditional preparation.

6. 'traditional use in folk medicine': What is it used for in traditional medicine? Please specify it, and add a bibliographical reference.
Answer: The reviewer's suggestion was accepted and the reference was added.

7. Methods, paragraph 5: WHY HAVE ONLY THE LEAVES BEEN USED? AND WHY HAVE THEY BEEN COLLECTED WHEN THE PLANT IS IN BLOOM? PERHAPS BECAUSE THAT IS HOW IT IS DONE IN TRADITIONAL MEDICINE? THE REASON SHOULD BE STATED.
In that paragraph, after Peru: Cajamarca Department, Peru. Also add coordinates and date of collection. National University of Trujillo: Is the registered name IN ENGLISH? OR IS IT UNIVERSIDAD NACIONAL DE TRUJILLO?
After registration, the voucher number must be added to the HUT herbarium, which is the acronym for the herbarium.
Answer: The relevant corrections were made, adding the use and preparation of the plant, as well as an explanation of how the leaves were used in the experiment. Coordinates and the date of collection were also added, according to the herbarium voucher.

Discussion:
8. Phytochemical analysis: The intensity of the color reaction qualitatively indicated...but also quantitative? I believe you are showing colour intensity according to quantity, so wouldn't that also be quantitative analysis? Furthermore, in paragraph 2 of the results, the authors wrote the sentence ‘Qualitative phytochemical analysis revealed an abundant presence of phenols, a moderate amount of flavonoids and diterpenes, and a small quantity of cardiotonic glycosides’.
Answer: The suggestion to replace qualitative phytochemical analysis with semi-quantitative phytochemical analysis is accepted.

Discussion, paragraph 1: The authors wrote: 'Previous studies have documented that the hypoglycemic effects of plants associated' Which plants?
Paragraph 10 of the discussion states: 'Taken together, these findings suggest that AEAA could represent a natural alternative in complementary medicine for blood glucose control, with potential therapeutic applications in the management of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).
However further studies are required to validate its efficacy in humans.' What success rate could extracts from this plant have in humans, considering that it is used in traditional medicine? Could a medicine be manufactured that could be dispensed in pharmacies? These would be interesting points to add to the discussion.
Answer: We thank the reviewer for the clarification and suggestion regarding the structure of the paragraph, and the relevant changes have been made in the paragraphs 1 y 10.
Competing Interests: None Close
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VERSION 2 PUBLISHED 19 Aug 2025

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Version 2 (revision) 15 Sep 25	read
Version 1 19 Aug 25	read	read

Antonio Galán de Mera, Universidad San Pablo-CEU, Madrid, Spain
Aku Enam Motto, University of Lomé, Lomé, Togo

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16 Sep 2025 | for Version 2

Antonio Galán de Mera, Universidad San Pablo-CEU, Madrid, Spain

4 Views Cite this report Responses(0)

Approved

I agree with this new amended version and recommend acceptance
Thank you very much.
Kind regards

Competing Interests

No competing interests were disclosed.

Reviewer Expertise

Plant systematics, Biogeography, Pharmacognosy.

I confirm that I have read this submission and believe that I have an appropriate level of expertise to confirm that it is of an acceptable scientific standard.

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08 Sep 2025 | for Version 1

Aku Enam Motto, University of Lomé, Lomé, Togo

5 Views Cite this report Responses(0)

Not Approved

Is the work clearly and accurately presented and does it cite the current literature?

Partly
Is the study design appropriate and is the work technically sound?

Partly
Are sufficient details of methods and analysis provided to allow replication by others?

No
If applicable, is the statistical analysis and its interpretation appropriate?

Yes
Are all the source data underlying the results available to ensure full reproducibility?

No source data required
Are the conclusions drawn adequately supported by the results?

Partly

References

Competing Interests

No competing interests were disclosed.

Reviewer Expertise

Physiology, Pharmacology, toxicology

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18 Views

03 Sep 2025 | for Version 1

Antonio Galán de Mera, Universidad San Pablo-CEU, Madrid, Spain

18 Views Cite this report Responses(1)

Approved

Is the work clearly and accurately presented and does it cite the current literature?

Yes
Is the study design appropriate and is the work technically sound?

Yes
Are sufficient details of methods and analysis provided to allow replication by others?

Yes
If applicable, is the statistical analysis and its interpretation appropriate?

Yes
Are all the source data underlying the results available to ensure full reproducibility?

Yes
Are the conclusions drawn adequately supported by the results?

Yes

Competing Interests

No competing interests were disclosed.

Reviewer Expertise

Plant systematics, Biogeography, Pharmacognosy.

I confirm that I have read this submission and believe that I have an appropriate level of expertise to confirm that it is of an acceptable scientific standard.

Respond to this report

Responses (1)

Author Response

15 Sep 2025

Jorge Guillermo Morales Ramos, Faculty of Human Medicine, Universidad De San Martín de Porres, Lambayeque, Peru

1. In the title, add the family after Acalypha argomuelleri Briq. (Euphorbiaceae).
Answer: The addition suggested by the reviewer was made.

2. The caption for Table 6 should be in English.
Answer: The legend for Table 6 was translated.

3. In paragraph 6 of the introduction, I believe that if the new plant that causes hypoglycaemia is Peruvian, more plants from Peru that cause this effect should be added, and not just Geranium ayavacense. Furthermore, three paragraphs below, a very similar paragraph is repeated, and what is detailed in it should be included here. Join two paragraphs.
Answer:The suggested paragraphs were merged, mentioning some plants of Peruvian origin that were already mentioned in the article.

4. In paragraph 7, line 4: THESE ARE NOT SYSTEMATIC REVIEWS OF PLANTS (BOTANICAL EXPRESSION), THEY ARE PHYTOCHEMICAL AND PHARMACOLOGICAL REVIEWS: It should be stated: as synthesised in our ongoing phytochemical and pharmacological reviews.
Answer: The reviewer's suggestion has been added to the text.

5. Paragraph 12 and 13 of the introduction:
'the humid tropical biome': This is taken from IPNI, but IPNI is not accurate for ecological data. What is its distribution in Peru? Add some bibliographical references about its distribution. There is no humid tropical biome. It should be indicated whether it is a humid tropical forest, humid tropical shrubs, a savannah-type forest, etc., and also the bibliographical reference from which this information is taken. IF WE ARE DISCUSSING ABOUT A NATURAL RESOURCE, IT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO CORRECTLY INDICATE THE ECOLOGICAL CONDITIONS OF THE LOCATION. A PHARMACOLOGICAL STUDY CAN LEAD TO A WHOLE CONSERVATION STRATEGY.
Answer: The additions suggested by the reviewer were made, indicating the ecology of the plant, its use and traditional preparation.

6. 'traditional use in folk medicine': What is it used for in traditional medicine? Please specify it, and add a bibliographical reference.
Answer: The reviewer's suggestion was accepted and the reference was added.

7. Methods, paragraph 5: WHY HAVE ONLY THE LEAVES BEEN USED? AND WHY HAVE THEY BEEN COLLECTED WHEN THE PLANT IS IN BLOOM? PERHAPS BECAUSE THAT IS HOW IT IS DONE IN TRADITIONAL MEDICINE? THE REASON SHOULD BE STATED.
In that paragraph, after Peru: Cajamarca Department, Peru. Also add coordinates and date of collection. National University of Trujillo: Is the registered name IN ENGLISH? OR IS IT UNIVERSIDAD NACIONAL DE TRUJILLO?
After registration, the voucher number must be added to the HUT herbarium, which is the acronym for the herbarium.
Answer: The relevant corrections were made, adding the use and preparation of the plant, as well as an explanation of how the leaves were used in the experiment. Coordinates and the date of collection were also added, according to the herbarium voucher.

Discussion:
8. Phytochemical analysis: The intensity of the color reaction qualitatively indicated...but also quantitative? I believe you are showing colour intensity according to quantity, so wouldn't that also be quantitative analysis? Furthermore, in paragraph 2 of the results, the authors wrote the sentence ‘Qualitative phytochemical analysis revealed an abundant presence of phenols, a moderate amount of flavonoids and diterpenes, and a small quantity of cardiotonic glycosides’.
Answer: The suggestion to replace qualitative phytochemical analysis with semi-quantitative phytochemical analysis is accepted.

Discussion, paragraph 1: The authors wrote: 'Previous studies have documented that the hypoglycemic effects of plants associated' Which plants?
Paragraph 10 of the discussion states: 'Taken together, these findings suggest that AEAA could represent a natural alternative in complementary medicine for blood glucose control, with potential therapeutic applications in the management of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).
However further studies are required to validate its efficacy in humans.' What success rate could extracts from this plant have in humans, considering that it is used in traditional medicine? Could a medicine be manufactured that could be dispensed in pharmacies? These would be interesting points to add to the discussion.
Answer: We thank the reviewer for the clarification and suggestion regarding the structure of the paragraph, and the relevant changes have been made in the paragraphs 1 y 10.

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Competing Interests

None

Alongside their report, reviewers assign a status to the article:

Approved - the paper is scientifically sound in its current form and only minor, if any, improvements are suggested

Approved with reservations - A number of small changes, sometimes more significant revisions are required to address specific details and improve the papers academic merit.

Not approved - fundamental flaws in the paper seriously undermine the findings and conclusions

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Rat	Weight (g)	Basal glucose (mg/dL)	Glucose 30 min (mg/dL)	Glucose 60 min (mg/dL)	Glucose 90 min (mg/dL)
1	200	132	200	194	186
2	216	104	196	141	229
3	200	101	200	213	198
5	172	96	186	185	63
6	215	89	181	190	105
7	200	112	183	213	198
8	220	140	200	170	181
9	170	100	211	197	190

Rat	Weight (g)	Basal glucose (mg/dL)	Glucose 30 min (mg/dL)	Glucose 60 min (mg/dL)	Glucose 90 min (mg/dL)
1	200	132	200	194	186
2	216	104	196	141	229
3	200	101	200	213	198
5	172	96	186	185	63
6	215	89	181	190	105
7	200	112	183	213	198
8	220	140	200	170	181
9	170	100	211	197	190

Hypoglycemic effect of the aqueous extract from Acalypha argomuelleri Briq. (Euphorbiaceae) 'Sweet stick' leaves in Rattus rattus var. albinus

Abstract

Introduction

Method

Results

Discussion

Conclusions

Keywords

Revised Amendments from Version 1

1. Introduction

2. Methods

Preparation of the aqueous extract from Acalypha argomuelleri Briq. leaves

Phytochemical analysis

Experimental design

Statistical analysis

3. Results

3.1 Phytochemical profile of the aqueous extract of Acalypha argomuelleri Briq.

3.2 Blood glucose in the control group

Table 1. Glucose response in rats treated with AEAA (Control).

Table 2. Glucose response in rats treated with AEAA (100 mg/kg).

Table 3. Glucose response in rats treated with AEAA (150 mg/kg).

Table 4. Glucose response in rats treated with AEAA (300 mg/kg).

Table 5. General Interpretation of the Mean ( x¯ ), Standard Deviation (σ), and Coefficient of Variation (CV%) in glucose response in rats treated with AEAA.

Treatment 1 with 100 mg/kg

Treatment 2 with 150 mg/kg

Treatment 3 with 300 mg/kg

Table 6. ANOVA of glucose response in rats treated with AEAA.

Table 7. Results of the duncan test for blood glucose levels at 30, 60 and 90 minutes.

4. Discussion

5. Conclusions

Ethical considerations

Data availability statement

Underlying data

Reporting guidelines

References

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Table 5. General Interpretation of the Mean ( $\bar{x}$ ), Standard Deviation (σ), and Coefficient of Variation (CV%) in glucose response in rats treated with AEAA.

Rat	Weight (g)	Basal glucose (mg/dL)	Glucose 30 min (mg/dL)	Glucose 60 min (mg/dL)	Glucose 90 min (mg/dL)
1	200	132	200	194	186
2	216	104	196	141	229
3	200	101	200	213	198
5	172	96	186	185	63
6	215	89	181	190	105
7	200	112	183	213	198
8	220	140	200	170	181
9	170	100	211	197	190