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Diabetes mellitus remains a global health concern, necessitating innovative therapeutic approaches. This study explores the antidiabetic potential of aqueous and methanol extracts from Lepidagathis pungens Nees in albino Wistar rats induced with diabetes. Diabetes induction involves the administration of streptozotocin (STZ) and nicotinamide (NIC), mimicking pathological conditions observed in human diabetes. The study employed aqueous and methanol extracts of L. pungens Nees alongside a standard drug, glibenclamide. Diabetes induction was achieved through intraperitoneal injection of STZ and NIC. Extracts and the standard drug were orally administered, and various parameters, including blood glucose levels, body weight changes, insulin and hemoglobin levels, as well as liver and lipid profiles, were monitored at specified intervals. Furthermore, liver and pancreas tissues were evaluated histopathologically. In comparison to the diabetic group, both aqueous and methanol extracts demonstrated significant antidiabetic activity (p <0.001), with effects comparable to or better than the standard drug. A remarkable improvement in insulin and hemoglobin levels was observed, along with significant improvements in blood glucose levels and body weight changes. Furthermore, the extracts demonstrated positive effects on liver and lipid profiles, exhibiting potential to mitigate diabetes-induced complications. Histopathological studies revealed protective effects on liver and pancreas tissues, supporting the extracts’ therapeutic efficacy. In STZ- and NIC-induced diabetic rats, L. pungens Nees extracts show promising antidiabetic activity. The extracts demonstrated significant improvements in various physiological parameters, suggesting their potential as alternative or adjunctive therapies in the management of diabetes. Further research and clinical investigations are warranted to elucidate the underlying mechanisms and translate these findings into practical therapeutic applications.
Jothilakshmi et al. (Tue,) studied this question.