Aim: Diabetes mellitus is a major global metabolic disorder characterized by chronic hyperglycemia due to insufficient insulin secretion and/or action. The present study aimed to investigate the potential antidiabetic effects of a Madhuca longifolia flower extract on streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats, an established animal model for studying diabetes and its complications. Methods: Diabetes was induced in overnight-fasted Wistar rats by a single intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (STZ) at a dose of 50 mg/kg body weight and nicotinamide at dose of 100mg/kg, dissolved in a cold 0.1 M citrate buffer (pH 4.5). Rats with fasting blood glucose levels above 200 mg/dL after 72 hours were considered diabetic. Diabetic animals were divided into treatment groups and orally administered the plant extract (e.g., at doses of 200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg body weight) or a standard antidiabetic drug, metformin(e.g., 5 mg/kg body weight), daily for a period of 28 days. Fasting blood glucose (FBG) levels, body weight, and various biochemical parameters lipid profile (total cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL, LDL), liver function markers (ALT, AST), kidney function markers (creatinine, BUN), will be analyzed. At the end of the study, pancreatic tissues were collected for histopathological examination. Results: Oral administration of the plant extract to diabetic rats for the treatment period resulted in a significant (p < 0.05) reduction in elevated FBG and lipid profile levels compared to the untreated diabetic control group. The extract treatment also prevented significant body weight loss and improved altered lipid profiles (e.g., decreased total cholesterol and triglycerides, increased HDL) and liver/kidney function parameters. Histopathological analysis of the pancreas from treated rats showed preservation and regeneration of pancreatic beta-cells compared to the severe necrosis and cellular damage observed in untreated diabetic rats. Conclusion: The findings suggest that the plant extract possesses significant antidiabetic protective effects against diabetes-associated complications in STZ-induced diabetic rats. Its efficacy was comparable to the standard drug metformin, thereby validating its potential as a natural therapeutic agent for diabetes management.
Latha* et al. (Fri,) studied this question.