TIMES SINGAPORE, SURABAYA – Two pharmacy students at the University of Surabaya (Ubaya), Yuni Asyurotin and Nabila Dhafa, have developed a groundbreaking herbal beverage named "Androbetik". Little did you now, this herbal will get you away from diabetes.

This innovative drink is primarily made from the leaves of the Andrographis paniculata plant, commonly known as bitter leaf. The primary goal of Androbetik is to aid in blood glucose control and serve as a preventive measure against diabetes.

Yuni Asyurotin explained the origin of the product's name, stating that "Androbetik" is a blend of the Latin name for the bitter leaf, Andrographis paniculata, and the term 'diabetes'. This product is a nutraceutical or functional drink with the active ingredient being the extract from the bitter leaf, which has been processed into a granulated powder form for ease of consumption.

Drinkable Bitter Leaves Juices

The inception of Androbetik was motivated by the inherently strong bitter taste of the bitter leaf, which limits its oral intake. Yuni mentioned, "To overcome this, we opted to create a drinkable form, making it more accessible for individuals who struggle with consuming supplements in tablet or pill form."

Yuni further emphasized the selection of bitter leaf as the primary ingredient due to its extensive pharmacological benefits, including anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, and anti-diabetic properties, as well as its effectiveness in treating upper respiratory tract infections.

"Bitter leaf is a key ingredient in an anti-diabetic herbal concoction in Indonesia, which has been clinically tested and confirmed to be effective," she elaborated, referencing her background in pharmaceutical studies in Surabaya.

Delving into the manufacturing process, Nabila Dhafa explained that Androbetik's production begins with the creation of an inclusion complex between the bitter leaf extract and beta-cyclodextrin. This step is crucial as it helps to mask the bitter taste of the leaf extract, making the final product more palatable.

Following this, the inclusion complex is combined with other constituents to form the Androbetik healthy drink powder, with sucralose added as a zero-calorie sweetener to enhance the taste without adding extra sugar.

The Contents

Highlighting the product's specifications, Nabila mentioned that each 20-gram sachet of Androbetik contains 0.1 gram of dense bitter leaf extract, which is equivalent to 1 gram of the herbal powder. While clinical trials specifically for Androbetik have not yet been conducted, its safety and efficacy are inferred from previous research involving 20 type 2 diabetes patients.

These patients, over a 12-week period, consumed doses of bitter leaf herbal powder ranging from 0.6 to 1.8 grams daily, demonstrating significant health improvements.

The research showed a notable decrease in HbA1c levels, a marker for long-term blood glucose management, by 5.46% and a 20.93% reduction in fasting blood glucose levels. These outcomes indicate the potential of bitter leaf herbal powder in managing diabetes effectively and safely, with no adverse effects reported during the trial period.

Under the guidance of Ubaya's Faculty of Pharmacy professors, Apt. Nikmatul Ikhrom Eka Jayani, M.FarmKlin, and Apt. Karina Citra Rani, M.Farm, the project reached a milestone with a taste test conducted among 40 panelists. The feedback highlighted the need for formula improvements to enhance consumer acceptance of the product.

"Future refinements are planned to further improve the product. We aim for Androbetik to be a nutraceutical alternative, offering preventive health benefits, particularly for those at risk of diabetes," Nikmatul said.

This project not only represents a significant advancement in herbal-based health solutions but also illustrates the potential of integrating traditional herbal knowledge with modern pharmaceutical science. As Androbetik continues to evolve, it holds promise as a functional beverage that can contribute to the broader goal of preventive health care, especially in the realm of diabetes management and prevention.

With ongoing research and development, Androbetik is poised to become a cornerstone in the field of nutraceuticals, offering a natural, effective, and accessible option for those seeking to maintain optimal health and prevent the onset of diabetes. (*)