Antidiabetic and metabolic regulatory effects of Bergenia stracheyi and Rheum spiciforme mixtures via sirtuin modulation in STZ-induced diabetic rats.

BACKGROUND

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is characterized by hyperglycemia, dyslipidemia, altered adipokine secretion, and impaired sirtuin signaling, all of which contribute to disease progression.

OBJECTIVES

This study evaluated the antidiabetic potential of botanical mixtures of Bergenia stracheyi (B.s) and Rheum spiciforme (R.s) in streptozotocin (STZ) induced diabetic rats.

METHODS

Acute (8 h), subacute (14 days), subchronic (21 days), and chronic (28 days) studies were conducted in diabetic rats treated with botanical mixtures A (75 B.s: 25 R.s), B (50 B.s: 50 R.s), C (25 B.s: 75 R.s) and compared with metformin and glibenclamide. Biochemical analyses included blood glucose, lipid profiles, adipokines and expression of sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) and sirtuin 2 (SIRT2).

RESULTS

Botanical mixture B significantly reduced blood glucose across all study phases, with a 53.78% (p<0.001) decline at day 28, comparable to metformin and glibenclamide. It also demonstrated a more effective restoration of SIRT1 (p<0.01) and SIRT2 (p<0.05) expression compared to standard drugs. Adiponectin levels increased while leptin decreased, indicating improved metabolic regulation. All botanical mixtures ameliorated dyslipidemia, with mixture B showing the most consistent effects (p<0.0001).

CONCLUSION

It was concluded that botanical mixture B (50 B.s: 50 R.s) exerted potent antidiabetic effects through glycemic control, lipid regulation, adipokine modulation, and sirtuin activation, supporting its therapeutic potential for T2DM.