Antidiabetic and tissue-protective effects of Brachystegia eurycoma leaf extract in alloxan-induced diabetic rat model

Abstract

Background: Diabetes mellitus remains a significant global health challenge, with traditional medicinal plants offering promising therapeutic potential. Brachystegia eurycoma has been traditionally employed in African medicine for diabetes management, yet its mechanisms of action remain poorly understood. Purpose: To evaluate the antidiabetic potential and elucidate the molecular mechanisms of B. eurycoma leaf extract through both In vitro and In vivo studies. Methods: The ethanol extract was assessed for antioxidant activity (ABTS, DPPH, FRAP), α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibition, and phytochemical content. Alloxan-induced diabetic rats received oral doses (100–400 mg/kg) for 21 days. Multiple parameters, including glycemic indices, insulin, glycogen, metabolic enzymes, antioxidant markers, inflammatory mediators, and lipid profiles, were evaluated. Results: The extract demonstrated significant antioxidant activity (73.32 % DPPH, 58.88 % ABTS inhibition) with high phenolic (348.8 mg GAE/100 g) and flavonoid (158.26 mg QE/kg) content. In diabetic rats, 400 mg/kg treatment reduced hyperglycemia by 31.5 %, increased insulin by 82 %, and enhanced glycogen by 84 %. Hexokinase and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase activities improved to 11 % and 52.5 % of normal control, while glucose-6-phosphatase decreased to 55 % of diabetes control. Treatment significantly reduced inflammatory markers (TNF-α, IL-6) and improved lipid profiles with a marked increase in HDL and reduction in LDL and triglycerides (p < 0.05). Conclusion: B. eurycoma leaf extract exhibits multifaceted antidiabetic effects through antioxidant activity, carbohydrate-metabolizing enzyme inhibition, and metabolic regulation, supporting its traditional use and warranting further clinical investigation.