EVALUATION OF THE ANTI-DIABETIC EFFECTS OF TINOSPORA CORDIFOLIA LEAF EXTRACT ON DIABETIC RATS INDUCED BY STREPTOZOTOCIN

EVALUATION OF THE ANTI-DIABETIC EFFECTS OF TINOSPORA CORDIFOLIA LEAF EXTRACT ON DIABETIC RATS INDUCED BY STREPTOZOTOCIN

Neelam Pavan Teja *, Darsi Eswar Tony and Nadendla Ramarao

Department of Pharmacology, Chalapathi Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chalapathi Nagar, Lam, Guntur, Andhra Pradesh, India.

ABSTRACT: Hyperglycemia due to insulin secretion or action abnormalities, or both, characterizes diabetes mellitus, a chronic metabolic condition. Using streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic Wistar rats, this research aimed to determine whether or not extract from the leaves of Tinospora cordifolia had any anti-diabetic effects. A single intraperitoneal injection of 55 mg/kg streptozotocin was used to develop diabetes, and for 28 days, the mice were given an oral dosage of 300 mg/kg of an ethanolic extract of Tinospora cordifolia leaves. The gold standard medicine for comparison was glibenclamide (10 mg/kg). Changes in body weight and fasting blood glucose levels were used to evaluate the extract's anti-diabetic effectiveness. Tannins, flavonoids, and alkaloids were detected in the phytochemical analysis of the extract. In diabetic rats, the extract treatment led to a 58.2% decrease in blood glucose levels (P < 0.01) and an improvement in body weight. The outcomes were similar to those of the gold standard medication, glibenclamide. According to the results, a 50% ethanolic Tinospora cordifolia extract has strong anti-diabetic effects and might be used as a non-invasive treatment for diabetes.

Keywords: Diabetes mellitus, Tinospora cordifolia, Streptozotocin (STZ), Antidiabetic activity, Blood glucose

INTRODUCTION: A chronic metabolic condition known as diabetes mellitus is defined by high blood glucose levels that are caused by either impaired insulin action or insufficient insulin production. Diabetes has emerged as a key issue in public health this century due to its alarming global incidence. The eyes, kidneys, peripheral nervous system, and heart are all vulnerable to the devastating effects of persistent hyperglycemia ¹. Traditional methods of diabetes care include a healthy diet, frequent exercise, oral hypoglycemic medication, and insulin injections.

Although these medications help regulate blood sugar levels, they come with risks and may not be able to stop secondary problems altogether if used for an extended period of time. Since medicinal plants and natural products have a lower risk profile and more therapeutic potential, they have attracted a lot of interest as possible alternatives or supplementary treatments ². Ayurvedic practitioners have long relied on the therapeutic properties of the herb Tinospora cordifolia, most often known as Guduchi or Giloy.

The antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, immuno-modulatory, and antihyperglycemic effects of Tinospora cordifolia have been shown in previous pharmacological and phytochemical investigations. In addition, the results of the experiments show that the plant extract may lower blood sugar levels by increasing insulin production and improving glucose absorption in the periphery ³.

Because Streptozotocin (STZ) kills insulin-producing pancreatic β-cells selectively, creating an insulin-deficient diabetic state comparable to human diabetes, antidiabetic activity may be assessed using Streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rat models ⁴.

The current research aimed to validate the traditional usage of Tinospora cordifolia leaf extract in the treatment of diabetes mellitus by investigating its antihyperglycemic action in rats induced with STZ. The purpose was to build on these results.

FIG. 1: PLANT OF TINOSPORA CARDIFOLIA (L.) FLOWER OF TINOSPORA CORDIFOLIA (L.) SEED OF TINOSPORA CORDIFOLIA (L.)

Classification of Tinospora cardifolia (L).:

Kingdom: Plantae

Sub Kingdom: Tracheobionta

Super Divion: Spermatophyta

Divion: Magnoliophyta

Class: Magnoliopsida

Subclass: Magnoliidae

Order: Ranunculales

Family: Menispermaceae

Genus: Tinospora

Species: Tinospora cardifolia

Vernacular Names:

Tamil: Sathiyavalli, Seenthil, Amrithapal, Senthil kodi

English: Heart-leaved moonseed, Guduchi, Indian tinospora,  

Marathi: Gulvel, Amurutvel, Giloy, Madhuparni, Chhinna

Gujarat: Galo

Portuguese: Giloe, Raizdo Coracao

Germany: Herzblatt mondsaat

Arabic: Jilodishi

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

Selection of Plant Material: The Guntur area of Andhra Pradesh, India, was surveyed for its fresh Tinospora cordifolia leaves. Before being used in experiments, the plant material was taxonomically identified and authenticated by a trained botanist. For phytopharmacological investigations to be consistent and reproducible, correct botanical identification is crucial ⁵.

Preparation of Plant Extract: The gathered leaves were given a good washing to get rid of any clinging dirt or debris, and then let to dry naturally in the shade. Using a mechanical grinder, the dried leaves were ground into a powder. The substance that had been ground into a powder was then extracted using ethanol. The crude ethanolic extract was obtained by filtering the solution and removing the solvent using a rotary evaporator at decreased pressure after sufficient extraction. Until it was needed again, the extract was kept in the fridge ⁶.

Experimental Animals: Wistar albino rats, ranging in weight from 150 to 200 g, were used for the research. Standard laboratory settings were employed to house the animals, including a regulated temperature (25 ± 2°C) and a 12 h light/dark cycle, in polypropylene cages. During the duration of the trial, the animals were given water and a standard pellet meal without restriction. Following protocols authorized by the Institutional Animal Ethics Committee, all experimental procedures were carried out ¹.

Drugs and Vehicle: The usual antidiabetic medicine used in the trial was glibenclamide. For the purpose of oral administration, a 0.5% solution of carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) containing the conventional medication and an ethanolic extract of Tinospora cordifolia (EETC) was prepared. To ensure consistent dosing, CMC was used as a stabilizing agent ³.

Chemicals Used: To induce diabetes, scientists employed streptozotocin (STZ) from Sigma-Aldrich. Ethanol, citrate buffer, CMC, and diagnostic kits for estimating blood glucose and lipid profiles were among the other analytical-grade chemicals and reagents used. STZ was chosen because of its specific ability to kill pancreatic β-cells ⁴.

Drug Treatment: Each set of animals received either a regular therapy, a test treatment, a diabetic control, or a normal control. A single intraperitoneal dose of 55 mg/kg body weight of STZ produced diabetes.

Diabetic animals were defined as those whose fasting blood glucose levels were more than 250 mg/dL after 72 hours.

The antihyperglycemic efficacy of the ethanolic extract of Tinospora cordifolia was assessed by administering it orally to the test groups for a duration of 21 days ².

Assessment of Parameters:

The following parameters were evaluated during the study period:

Fasting Blood Glucose: Fasting blood glucose levels were measured on days 0, 7, 14, 21, and 28 using blood samples collected from the tail vein.

Body Weight: Body weight of experimental animals was recorded weekly to evaluate metabolic changes and prevention of diabetic weight loss.

Experimental Methodology:

Induction of Experimental Diabetes: Prior to inducing diabetes, animals were allowed to fast for one night. Intraperitoneally, a solution of streptozotocin (55 mg/kg body weight) was produced using a 0.1 M citrate buffer and given to the patient.

Through DNA damage, ATP depletion, and suppression of mitochondrial activity, STZ causes diabetes by specifically destroying pancreatic β-cells ⁷.

Selection of Diabetic Animals: After 72 hours of using STZ, a digital glucometer was used to assess fasting blood glucose levels. Diabetic rats were defined as rats with fasting blood glucose levels more than 250 mg/dL ⁸.

Experimental Design: Each of the five groups of rats consisted of six individuals chosen at random. Normal controls, diabetic controls, a regular medicine group, and an extract group treated with varying dosages of Tinospora cordifolia made comprised the study's design. The antihyperglycemic effect was evaluated by maintaining treatment for 21 days ⁹.

Phytochemical Screening: To find secondary metabolites that have antioxidant and anti-diabetic properties, we conducted a qualitative phytochemical screening of the ethanolic leaf extract. This screening looked for alkaloids, flavonoids, phenolic compounds, and others ¹⁰.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION:

TABLE 1: THE EFFECT OF ETHANOLIC EXTRACT ON THE OGTT MODEL LEVEL OF SERUM GLUCOSE IN NORMAL RATS

FIG. 2: THE INFLUENCE OF ETHANOLIC EXTRACT ON THE SERUM GLUCOSE LEVELS IN THE OGTT MODEL OF NORMAL RATS

TABLE 2: THE INFLUENCE OF 27 DAYS MANAGEMENT WITH ETHANOLIC EXTRACT TO SERUM GLUCOSE LEVELS OF RATS WITH DIABETIC CONDITION INDUCED BY STZ

FIG. 3: THE EFFECT OF 27 DAYS OF TREATMENT WITH THE ETHANOLIC EXTRACT ON SERUM GLUCOSE LEVELS IN STZ INDUCED DIABETIC RATS

The results demonstrated that the leaf extract of Tinospora cordifolia shown efficacy similar to traditional antidiabetic treatment in reducing hyperglycemia in streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice. One possible explanation for the antihyperglycemic effects is because it contains bioactive phytoconstituents such alkaloids and flavonoids, which help keep glucose levels stable ¹⁰. The extract may have peripheral effects such as reducing blood glucose levels and increasing glycogen production in the liver and skeletal muscles ⁶.” Moreover, when contrasted with diabetic control rats, the groups treated with extracts demonstrated a considerable retention of body weight, suggesting a decrease in tissue protein breakdown and an improvement in metabolic condition ⁸. These results provide credence to the long-standing belief in Tinospora cordifolia's efficacy and safety as a natural remedy for the chronic control of diabetes mellitus ⁵.

Statistical Analysis: Mean ± SEM was used to represent the experimental results. After doing a one-way ANOVA, we used Dunnett's multiple comparison test to see whether there was a statistically significant relationship. It was deemed statistically significant when the value of *p* was less than 0.05.

Through the use of this statistical method, it was verified that the treated groups had much lower blood glucose levels compared to the diabetic control group ¹¹.

CONCLUSION: This research found that streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats showed considerable antidiabetic activity in response to an ethanolic Tinospora cordifolia leaf extract. The extract successfully decreased hyperglycemia and stopped the loss of body weight that comes with diabetes ⁹. The inclusion of phytoconstituents that improve glucose utilization and glycogen storage, such as alkaloids and flavonoids, may explain the reported pharmacological effects ⁶. These results provide scientific credence to Tinospora cordifolia's long-standing folk medicine usage and raise the possibility that it might be a viable natural option for the long-term control of diabetes mellitus ².

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT: Nil

CONFLICT OF INTEREST: Nil

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    How to cite this article:

    Teja NP, Tony DE and Ramarao N: Evaluation of the anti-diabetic effects of Tinospora cordifolia leaf extract on diabetic rats induced by streptozotocin. Int J Pharmacognosy 2026; 13(7): 683-87. doi link: http://dx.doi.org/10.13040/IJPSR.0975-8232.IJP.13(7).683-87.

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