Sharmaine M. Grande, Irina A. Pestaño, Denise V. Ventilacion (March 2014)
Philippine Science High School Western Visayas Campus – Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PSHS WVC), Brgy. Bito-on, Jaro, Iloilo City 5000, Philippines
ABSTRACT
hyperglycemia is a condition in the body closely associated to high glucose levels in the blood. Hyperglycemia may not pose as a serious health threat but when neglected, hyperglycemia may complicate to diseases such as Diabetes. Leaves of Orthosiphon stamineus (Balbas-pusa) have been used for several years in the Asian culture to alleviate high blood glucose levels. Stevia rebaudiana (Stevia) is a natural sweetener known for its ability to maintain normal glucose levels in the blood. It has been proven by several scientific studies that these plants can lower and maintain blood glucose levels. Fifteen male white mice (Mus musculus domesticus) were grouped into three treatments, namely (a) induced-hyperglycemic group, (b) induced-hyperglycemic group fed with candy and (c) normoglycemic group fed with candy. Before a 6-h fast, initial blood glucose levels were obtained. After the fast, fasting blood glucose levels were obtained and a glucose load (2g/kg body weight) was orally administered to induce hyperglycemia in the two treatments. Using a glucometer, blood glucose levels were determined I a fifteen-minute time interval for two hours. The results determined through statistical linear modelling showed that the induced-hyperglycemic group fed with candy had fairly higher rate of decline than the induced-hyperglycemic group without the candy though the difference is very little. The normoglycemic group fed with candy did not exhibit hypoglycemia through the course of the experiment. The physicochemical properties of the candy namely pH, solubility and moisture content were obtained. And a sensory evaluation was conducted where twenty-one people evaluated the candy.