Hypoglycemic and Hypolipidemic Activities of Ethanolic Extract of Elaeocarpus Tectorius (Lour.) Poir. Leaves in Streptozotocin- Nicotinamide Induced Diabetic Rats

Abstract

The prevalence of diabetes is growing at an alarming rate on a global scale with approximately 536.6 million people having diabetes in 2021. Medicinal plants are gaining recognition in the treatment of diabetes owing to their safety, ability and low cost. Elaeocarpus tectorius (Lour.) Poir. is one of the least explored plants belonging to the genus Elaeocarpus. With this context, the current study was aimed to explore the antidiabetic and hypolipidemic effect of ethanolic extract of E. tectorius leaves in diabetes-induced rats. Phytochemical screening was performed and the oral acute toxicity of the plant extract was explored. Experimental diabetes was induced using streptozotocin and nicotinamide. The experimental animals were orally treated with ethanolic leaf extract of E. tectorius at doses 200 mg/kg b.w. and 400 mg/kg b.w. for 28 days after which body weight, fasting blood glucose levels, markers of serum lipid profile and histological variations in the pancreas were ascertained. Oral treatment of E. tectorius leaf extract daily for 28 days has significantly brought down (p<0.05) the fasting glucose levels in streptozotocin-nicotinamide induced diabetic rats and normalized the levels of serum lipid profile markers. The histological investigation revealed that the extract has caused significant restoration of pancreatic islet cells, and it was found that the dose of 400 mg/kg b.w. was more efficient and successful in treating hyperglycemia and circumventing related complications than 200 mg/kg b.w. The present study suggests that the leaf extract of E. tectorius possesses good antidiabetic and hypolipidemic activity and can be a useful and cheap alternative to treat diabetes.