Endocrine Abstracts

The prevalence of type 2 diabetes (non-insulin dependent diabetes) has been universally acknowledged as a chronic public health concern and the leading cause of mortality on a global scale. Plant-based bioactive compounds have made significant contributions to the management of diabetes mellitus globally. Artocarpus heterophyllus, also known as “kathal” in the subcontinent, is rich in dietary fibre and has traditionally been used as a diabetes remedy. The current study aimed to investigate the anti-hyperglycaemic and anti-hyperlipidaemic properties of ethanol extract of Artocarpus heterophyllus (EEAH) using high-fat-fed (HFF) diet-induced obese type 2 diabetic mice as well as phytochemical screening. Acute oral gavage of glucose (2.5 gm/kg) with EEAH (250 and 500 mg/kg) or glibenclamide (5 mg/kg) improved (P<0.05-0.001) oral glucose tolerance and food intake (P<0.05-0.001), and these acute in vivo investigations led to additional chronic studies. Twice daily oral gavage of EEAH (250 and 500 mg/kg) for 60 days showed remarkable improvements (P<0.05-0.001) in fasting blood glucose, body weight, glucose tolerance, food, and fluid intake in HFF mice. EEAH (500 mg/kg) promoted (P<0.001) gut motility, increased (P<0.05-0.01) high density lipoprotein, and decreased (P<0.05-0.01 total cholesterol, triglyceride, and low density lipoprotein at 250 and 500 mg/kg respectively. The phytochemical screening of EEAH depicted the presence of tannins, saponins, and flavonoids. These phytoconstituents may have a role in the anti-hyperglycaemic and anti-hyperlipidaemic properties of EEAH. Thus, the findings of this study support the notion of A. heterophyllus as a dietary supplement that might be useful in the treatment of type-2 diabetes in people.