Antidiabetic Potential of Saccopetalum tomentosum Leaf Extracts

Abstract

High fat diet (HFD) and low-dose streptozotocin (STZ) is an ideal model for type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) that would closely reflect the natural history and metabolic characteristics of human T2DM and is also suitable for pharmacological screening. Saccopetalum tomentosum (Annonaceae, S. tomentosum) is also known as hoom, kari. It is a huge deciduous tree that may reach a height of 20 metres. Further synonymous name for Saccopetalum tomentosum is Uvaria tomnentosa or Miliusa tomnentosa. S. tomentosum are used as antibacterial, anticancer, anthelmintic, antiparasitic and pesticidal agents. The present study was designed to investigate the effect of the ethanol extract of Saccopetalum tomentosum  on biochemical parameters in type 2 diabetes induced by a standardized HFD and low dose streptozotocin (40 mg/kg) in rats. To induce type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), animals were fed a high-fat diet for 4 weeks followed by an intraperitoneal injection of 40mg/kg of streptozotocin. Diabetic rats were divided into groups and treated for 28 days with S. tomentosum at doses of 200 and 400mg/kg. Body weight, blood glucose level, liver function test were assessed at the start and end of treatment. The glucose tolerance test was performed on the last day of treatment. Blood samples were taken for the assay of biochemical parameters and pancreas for histological sections. S. tomentosum (200 and 400 mg/kg) improved the drop in body weight in diabetic rats. Treatment of diabetic rats with S. tomentosum and glibenclamide decreased plasma glucose and lipid profile levels. Blood glucose level showed significant reduction after 28 days of treatment with S. tomentosum at 200 and 400 mg/kg and in glibenclamide. Histological examination of organ tissues of normal control, diabetic control, and drug-treated rats revealed significant results. Treatment with S. tomentosum reverses the most blood and tissue changes toward the normal level. An increase in the size and number of islets in the pancreas has also been observed after administration of the extract. S. tomentosum has antidiabetic and antioxidant properties, thus confirming its traditional use for the treatment of diabetes. These effects could be due to the presence of phytoconstituents, phenols and flavonoids presents in the plant extract and thus help in preventing future complications of diabetes.