Restorative properties of P. alba extract against pancreatic β-cell destruction and hyperlipidemia in streptozotocin-rat model of Type 2 diabetes mellitus

Abstract

P. alba is a reputable medicinal plant employed for the treatment of diabetes and its associated complications. However, scientific literature on the potential of the extract from this plant is scanty. Herein, the protective effects of the methanolic extract of P. alba on an experimentally induced type 2 diabetes rat model was evaluated. Wistar rats with streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetes were randomly allocated into five groups containing five animals each as follows: a normal glycemic group (I), diabetic rats receiving distilled water group (II), diabetic rats treated with 150 mg/kg of P. alba group (III), diabetic rats treated with 300 mg/kg of P. alba group (IV), and diabetic rats treated with 100 mg/kg metformin group (V). All treatments were administered for 21 consecutive days through oral gavage. Results revealed that treatment with P. alba extract significantly restored alterations in levels of fasting blood glucose (FBG), body weight loss, serum and pancreatic insulin levels, and pancreatic histology. Result also showed that P. alba significantly attenuated the dyslipidemia [increased cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C), triglycerides, and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) in diabetic rats], serum biochemical alterations [alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine phosphatase (ALP), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine, uric acid, and urea] and full blood count distortion in rats with STZ-induced diabetes. The present study thus provided evidence of antidiabetic potential of the P. alba extract for the treatment of diabetes and its associated complications. Hence, P. alba maybe employed for the treatment of diabetes mellitus.