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2000
Volume 16, Issue 1
  • ISSN: 2210-3155
  • E-ISSN: 2210-3163

Abstract

Aims

Roxb. has been traditionally utilized as an ethnomedicinal agent for managing various ailments, including diabetes, jaundice, and rheumatic issues. This investigation aimed to evaluate the oral hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic effects of the hydroalcoholic extract of the aerial parts of (HAECR) in rats with diabetes induced by a high-fat diet (HFD) and streptozotocin (STZ). Additionally, the study sought to identify the bioactive compounds responsible for these effects in .

Background

To date, only a few attempts have been made to isolate the lead bioactive compound from , highlighting the need for further exploration of this herb through bioactivity-guided fractionation. The isolation and characterization of the responsible lead molecules could pave the way for developing a new, safer therapeutic option compared to conventionally used drugs.

Objectives

The study aims to evaluate the oral hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic activity of hydroalcoholic extract of the aerial parts of (HAECR) in a high-fat diet (HFD) and streptozotocin (STZ) induced diabetic rats, along with elucidating the responsible bioactive compounds of .

Methods

The hydroalcoholic plant extract was standardized by marker calibration by HPLC and, subsequently, phytochemical screening by LC-MS. Column chromatography was adopted to isolate bioactive compounds from the extract, which NMR, FT-IR, and MS spectroscopy subsequently characterized. Oral antihyperglycemic activity and toxicity studies were performed, and antioxidant activities were studied.

Results

No deaths or behavioural changes were observed during the toxicity study up to 2000 mg/kg oral dosing. Other toxicological parameters, such as deviations in organ weights, and haematological, and histological parameters, were also not observed. 250 mg/kg dose of HAECR exhibited significant antihyperglycemic activity (56.9% reduction in blood glucose level) in diabetic rats. In the HAECR-treated groups, significant reductions were observed compared to the control group, with cholesterol levels decreasing by 57%, triglycerides by 50%, SGPT by 50%, and SGOT by 30%. Considering the extensive analytical spectroscopy interpretation results, Quercetin and Stigmasterol are the two possible isolated compounds from our extract.

Conclusion

Thus, this study suggested the antihyperlipidemic and antihyperglycemic activity of HAECR, which may be attributed to phytomolecules such as Stigmasterol and Quercetin. Therefore, our findings from the investigated part of the herb could be regarded as an adjunctive agent for treating diabetes mellitus.

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Antidiabetic and Antihyperlipidemic Effects of Hydroalcoholic Extract of Cuscuta reflexa on High-fat Diet and Streptozotocin-Induced Type 2 Diabetic Rats
Natural Products Journal, The 16, E22103155332259 (2026); https://doi.org/10.2174/0122103155332259250327084743
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  • Article Type:     Research Article
Keyword(s): antihyperglycemic activity; Cuscuta reflexa; diabetes mellitus; hypolipidemic activity; quercetin; streptozotocin

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