Antidiabetic effect of Drymaria cordata leaf against streptozotocin–nicotinamide-induced diabetic albino rats
PallabKanti Haldar, Susmita Patra, Sanjib Bhattacharya, Asis Bala
Abstract
<i>Drymaria cordata</i> (Caryophyllaceae), commonly known as <i>Abhijalo</i> in Sikkimese-Tibetan, is a creeping herb grown in tropical and subtropical regions of the world. It is used by ethnic groups of Sikkim, North-East India, for the treatment of various diseases including diabetes. This study aimed to investigate the antidiabetic effect of methanol extract from <i>D. cordata</i> leaf (DCME) in streptozotocin (STZ) and nicotinamide (NA)-induced type 2 diabetes in rats. Diabetic Wistar albino rats were treated with DCME at 200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg orally for 28 days. Metformin (150 mg/kg b.w.) was used as a reference drug. Fasting blood glucose (FBG) level; serum biochemical parameters; and liver, kidney, and antioxidant parameters were estimated, and pancreatic histopathology was performed after 28 days of treatment. Administration of DCME to STZ-NA-induced diabetic rats at 200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg orally for 28 days exhibited statistically significant (<i>P</i> < 0.05) and dose-dependent reduction of FBG, glycosylated hemoglobin, serum lipid, and hepatorenal antioxidative parameters in DCME-treated groups when compared to those of diabetic controls. Histopathological studies of pancreas in DCME-treated rats showed improvement in β-cell density compared to diabetic group. The results demonstrate the significant antidiabetic potential of <i>D. cordata</i> leaf in albino rats plausibly by reducing oxidative stress and serum lipids levels, justifying the folkloric use of this plant in the treatment of diabetes.<br>