Evaluation of Anti-Diabetic and Hepatoprotective Activity of Methanolic Bark Extract of Symplocos racemosa Roxb Bark Extract in Alloxan Induced Diabetic Rats

Symplocos racemosa is a plant known to possess anti-oxidant, analgesic, anti-inflammatory and other pharmacological activities. This research work aims to assess the anti-diabetic potential of Symplocos racemosa Roxb bark extract in Alloxan-induced experimental diabetes in rats. Oral administration of methanolic extract of Symplocos racemosa (200 and 400 mg/kg/body weight/rat/day) for 30 days significantly reduced elevated blood glucose levels in diabetic rats. Electron microscopic studies revealed noteworthy morphological changes in the mitochondria and endoplasmic reticulum of β cells in Alloxan-induced diabetic rats. Additionally, a decrease in the number of secretory granules of beta cells was observed. The extract demonstrated a significant (P<0.05) glucose uptake, though less effective than the reference drug, Metformin. Pathological abnormalities were normalized post-treatment with Symplocos racemosa extract, showcasing comparable efficacy to Metformin, a well-known hypoglycemic drug. This suggests that the methanolic extract of Symplocos racemosa may be an effective anti-diabetic agent. Simultaneously, this study also aimed to evaluate the hepatoprotective activity of methanolic extract of Symplocos racemosa (MESR) bark extract at doses of 200 and 400 mg/kg/body weight/rat/day in paracetamol-induced hepatic damage in rats over 7 days. Hepatoprotection was assessed through serum transaminases (AST and ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) on the 8th day, and histopathological observations. The results from this work indicate that MESR bark is an effective hepatoprotective agent against paracetamol-induced hepatic damage, suggesting potential clinical applications in the treatment of liver diseases