Antidiabetic and Hepatoprotective Effects of Dried Custard Apple (Annona squamosa) Pulp in Streptozotocin-Nicotinamide-Induced Diabetic Rats.

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is known to impair the quality of life. Natural products with high antidiabetic potential and fewer side effects have attracted considerable interest. Recently, investigations into plant materials for their antidiabetic properties have received greater attention. Therefore, in the current study, the dried pulp of custard apple (Annona squamosa) (AS) was investigated for its effects on Streptozotocin and nicotinamide (STZ-NA)-induced DM. The antidiabetic activity of AS was evaluated by measuring body weight, plasma glucose, plasma lipid levels, and liver glycogen content. The results show no alteration in glucose levels in normoglycemic rats. In contrast, the OGTT reduced glucose levels to 85.16 ± 3.19 mg/dL. There was a decrease in plasma total cholesterol, triglycerides (TGs), low-density lipoprotein, and very low-density lipoprotein (mg/dL) of 95.29 ± 4.07, 72.05 ± 1.20, 56.90 ± 3.26, 24.87 ± 4.26, and 11.38 ± 2.11, respectively, in diabetic rats. The AS treatment increased the high-density lipoprotein (35.80 ± 1.51 mg/dL), liver glycogen (21.65 ± 3.61 mg/g), and body weight (178.10 ± 5.81 g) in diabetic rats. AS also increased pancreatic enzyme levels while decreasing TBA-reactive substances in diabetic rats. Annona squamosa treatment reduced liver enzyme levels in diabetic rats. These findings suggest that dried AS pulp may improve diabetes by improving glucose, lipids, antioxidants, and liver enzymes.