Aqueous-ethanol extract of Acacia ampliceps Maslin mitigates hyperglycemia and oxidative stress in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.

BACKGROUND

Diabetes mellitus is a major global health issue with a significant and increasing prevalence. Despite advancements in diabetes mellitus treatment, its occurrence and associated mortality rates remain high.

OBJECTIVES

This study investigated the potential antidiabetic effects of Acacia ampliceps Maslin and validated its traditional use in folk medicine.

METHODS

Streptozotocin was used to induce type 2 diabetes mellitus in male Sprague-Dawley rats. After diabetes induction, oral doses of Acacia ampliceps leaf extract at various concentrations, such as 125 mg/kg, 250 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg, as well as glibenclamide, were administered for a duration of 35 days. Subsequently, antioxidant and histopathological assessments, blood samples and tissue specimens were taken.

RESULTS

EAA underwent a series of in-vitro analyses, including phytochemical screening, antioxidant activity testing and evaluation of its inhibitory effects on α-amylase. It is well known that acarbose inhibits α-amylase, thereby slowing the breakdown of carbohydrates and leading to a subsequent decline in blood glucose levels. EAA demonstrated α-amylase inhibitory activity, but its potency was lower than that of acarbose (IC50: 53.15 vs 11.98 µg/mL). EAA decreased malondialdehyde levels while superoxide dismutase, glutathione and catalase levels increased. During the gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis of EAA, potential antidiabetic phytoconstituents were also identified.

CONCLUSION

The results indicate that EAA contains pharmacologically active compounds with antioxidant and α-amylase-inhibitory properties, making it effective in treating STZ-induced T2DM.