What question did this study set out to answer?

To evaluate the antidiabetic and antioxidant effects of Tinospora cordifolia and Moringa oleifera in type 2 diabetic rats.

April 17, 2026Open Access

Antidiabetic efficacy and antioxidant potential of Tinospora cordifolia and Moringa oleifera against streptozotocin-induced type 2 diabetes in Wistar rats

Key Points

To evaluate the antidiabetic and antioxidant effects of Tinospora cordifolia and Moringa oleifera in type 2 diabetic rats.
Extracted phytochemicals from authenticated plant materials.
Conducted GC-MS profiling for bioactive constituents.
Assessed serum biochemical parameters and oxidative stress markers in various treatment groups.
Combined treatment reduced fasting blood glucose by 64.3% and HbA1c by 39.1%.
Serum insulin increased by 253% compared to the diabetic control.
Significant reduction in oxidative stress indicated by decreased malondialdehyde (MDA) levels by 38.3%.
Histological improvements in pancreatic islet integrity and reduced renal damage were observed.

Abstract

Introduction: Tinospora cordifolia (TC) and Moringa oleifera (MO) are widely used in traditional medicine for managing hyperglycaemia and oxidative stress due to their rich phytochemical composition. This study evaluated their antidiabetic and antioxidant potential, individually and in combination, in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced type 2 diabetic Wistar rats. Methods: Authenticated plant materials were extracted and subjected to phytochemical screening and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS) profiling for bioactive constituents. Six groups of experimental animals were created: diabetic control, normal control, diabetic + TC, diabetic + metformin (200 mg/kg b.w.), diabetic + MO, and diabetic + TC + MO (each at 150 mg/kg b.w.). Serum biochemical parameters, oxidative stress enzyme markers, and histopathological alterations in the pancreas and kidney were assessed for each group following standard methods. Results: Diabetic rats showed marked hyperglycaemia, dyslipidaemia, impaired insulin levels, organ dysfunction, and elevated oxidative stress compared to the normal rats. The combined formulation demonstrated superior efficacy, reducing fasting blood glucose by 64.3% and HbA1c by 39.1%, while increasing serum insulin by 253% comparing diabetic controls (p < 0.05). Oxidative stress was significantly reduced, evidenced by decreased malondialdehyde (MDA) (38.3%) and enhanced catalase, reduced glutathione (GSH), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels. Histological findings revealed improved pancreatic islet integrity, β-cell preservation, and reduced renal damage. Conclusion: The combined formulation produced greater improvements in biochemical, oxidative, and histological parameters despite each herb being administered at half the dose used in individual treatments, indicating a possible synergistic interaction and supporting its potential as an herb-based therapeutic approach for managing diabetes and associated oxidative damage.

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