Introduction: Diabetes is a chronic metabolic disease that affects individuals of all ages. Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop novel therapeutic agents from natural sources. In this context, Hibiscus cannabinus was selected for the present investigation. The study aimed to evaluate the hypoglycemic, hypolipidemic, and antioxidant activities of Hibiscus cannabinus extract in a streptozotocin-induced diabetic model in Wistar rats. Methods: An in vivo study was planned to evaluate the hypoglycaemic, hypolipidemic, and antioxidant effects activities of HCE. Thirty-six male Wistar rats were randomly divided into six groups, and diabetes was induced by a single acute intraperitoneal injection of STZ. Animals were treated orally with HCE at doses of 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg b.wt., or with Glibenclamide (5 mg/kg b.wt.), along with a normal control group. The rats were monitored for body weight, feed intake, blood glucose and insulin levels, lipid profile, and markers of lipid peroxidation and antioxidant activity. Results: HCE showed a significant reduction in blood glucose levels, improved lipid profile, enhanced antioxidant enzyme activity, and decreased lipid peroxidation in diabetic rats in a dosedependent manner compared with the control group. Notably, the 400 mg/kg b.wt. HCE group exhibited efficacy comparable to that of the Glibenclamide treatment group. Discussion: HCE showed activity in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats, indicating its potential as a natural therapeutic agent. Further investigation into its mechanisms and clinical applicability for managing diabetes-related complications is needed to support its pharmaceutical use. Conclusion: HCE extract exhibited strong antidiabetic, lipid-lowering, and antioxidant activities in STZ-induced diabetic rats.
Archana et al. (Wed,) studied this question.