What components of plant Curcuma longa provide hypoglycemic effect in diabetes mellitus?

The aim of the study is to identify the components of Curcuma longa which provide hypoglycemic effect in diabetes. It is shown that the active principle of turmeric - curcumin, as well as vitamins, included in its composition, and artificial antioxidant "Selenofan" imitating the antioxidant properties of all the compounds of turmeric, caused the hypoglycemic effect in alloxan model of diabetes in rats, which intensity was most distinctly demonstrated under the influence of antioxidants. One of the mechanisms for reducing the glucose concentration in the blood plasma of animals with alloxan-induced diabetes was the elevation of the glycogen content in the liver of rats. The level of such glycogen increase depended on the substances used. Thus, the hypoglycemic effect of turmeric is determined not only by the separate components, but by the biological active substances with antioxidant properties. The above mentioned findings justify the advisability of using turmeric in the treatment of the studied pathology.