Verma Sanjivani*
Diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disorder characterized by persistent hyperglycemia due to defects in insulin secretion or action. Despite numerous synthetic anti-diabetic drugs, many have limitations including side effects and limited efficacy, prompting the exploration of safer, plant-based alternatives. Pterocarpus marsupium, commonly known as Indian Kino tree, has been traditionally used in Ayurvedic medicine for managing diabetes. Its heartwood contains active compounds such as pterostilbene and marsupsin that have β-cell regenerative and insulinogenic properties. Tecoma stans, a yellow trumpetbush, has shown hypoglycemic effects in preliminary studies due to its flavonoid and alkaloid content. This study aims to scientifically evaluate the individual and combined effects of P. marsupium and T. stans in STZ-induced diabetic rats.
Role of Insulin in glucose homeostasis
In addition to the direct effects of hyperglycemia on the uptake of glucose into both the liver and peripheral tissues, the hormone Insulin plays a central role in regulating the blood glucose concentration. The islet cell is freely permeable to glucose via GLUT-2 transporter and the glucose is phosphorylated by the high-KM glucokinase. Therefore, the blood glucose concentration determines the flux through glycolysis, the citric acid cycle and the generation of ATP. The concentration of insulin in the blood parallels that of the blood glucose. Insulin has an immediate effect of increasing glucose uptake in tissues such as adipose tissue and muscle. This action is due to an enhancement of glucose transport through the cell membrane by requirement of glucose transporter from the interior of the cell to the plasma membrane. Insulin does indirectly enhance long-term uptake of glucose by the liver as a result of its actions on the synthesis of enzymes controlling glycolysis, glycogenesis and gluconeogenesis. Insulin has an immediate effect in activating glycogen synthase.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
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- Plant Material
Pterocarpus marsupium heartwood and Tecoma stans leaf was collected, shade-dried, powdered, and extracted using ethanol/water (70:30) by Soxhlet extraction. The dose used was 250 mg/kg body weight based on previous studies.
-
- Animals
Adult Wistar rats weighing 150–180 g was used after one week of acclimatization.
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- Diabetes Induction
Diabetes was induced by a single intraperitoneal injection of STZ (50 mg/kg) after overnight fasting. Rats with fasting blood glucose (FBG) > 250 mg/dL after 72 hours were included.
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- Grouping and Treatment
Table 1.1 Grouping and Treatment (Pterocarpus marsupium) We arranged same numbers of rats in each group like normal control, diabetic control, Pterocarpus marsupium treated, Tecoma stans treated, combination dose of pterocarpus marsupium and tecoma stans treated and last group is treated by standard drug metformin
|
S. No. |
Group No. |
Group Name |
Description |
|
1. |
I |
Normal Control |
Non-diabetic, received saline |
|
2. |
II |
Diabetic Control |
STZ-induced, received saline |
|
3. |
III |
PM Treated |
STZ-induced, treated with P. marsupium |
|
4. |
IV |
Standard Drug |
STZ-induced, treated with Metformin (100 mg/kg) |
Treatment duration: 21 days; oral dosing once daily.
Table 1.2 Grouping and Treatment (Tecoma stans)
|
S. No. |
Group No. |
Group Name |
Description |
|
1. |
I |
Normal Control |
Non-diabetic, received saline |
|
2. |
II |
Diabetic Control |
STZ-induced, received saline |
|
3. |
III |
TS Treated |
STZ-induced, T. stans |
|
4. |
IV |
Standard Drug |
STZ-induced, treated with Metformin (100 mg/kg) |
Table 1.3 Grouping and Treatment (Combination)
|
S. No. |
Group No. |
Group Name |
Description |
|
1. |
I |
Normal Control |
Non-diabetic, received saline |
|
2. |
II |
Diabetic Control |
STZ-induced, received saline |
|
3. |
III |
TS Treated |
STZ-induced, treated with both extracts (125+125 mg/kg) |
|
4. |
IV |
Standard Drug |
STZ-induced, treated with Metformin (100 mg/kg) |
- Parameters Evaluated
- Primary Outcomes
Fasting Blood Glucose (Days 0, 7, 14, 21), Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT), HbA1c at Day 21
- Secondary Outcomes
Lipid profile, Body weight, Pancreatic histopathology
- Experimental Data
- Fasting Blood Glucose (mg/dL) Fasting blood glucose (FBG) levels in normal, healthy rats typically range from 3.95 to 5.6 mmol/L (71 to 101 mg/dL). These levels can vary based on factors like fasting duration, sampling method, and the specific rat strain.
Table 1.4 Fasting Blood Glucose (mg/dL) (Pterocarpus marsupium)
|
S. No. |
Group |
Day 0 |
Day 7 |
Day 14 |
Day 21 |
|
1. |
Normal Control |
92 |
90 |
88 |
85 |
|
2. |
Diabetic Control |
275 |
290 |
300 |
310 |
|
3. |
PM Treated |
265 |
210 |
165 |
120 |
|
4. |
Metformin Treated |
270 |
185 |
135 |
92 |
Table 1.5 Fasting Blood Glucose (mg/dL) (Tecoma stans)
|
S. No. |
Group |
Day 0 |
Day 7 |
Day 14 |
Day 21 |
|
1. |
Normal Control |
90 |
88 |
87 |
85 |
|
2. |
Diabetic Control |
270 |
285 |
295 |
305 |
|
3. |
TS Treated |
260 |
215 |
170 |
125 |
|
4. |
Metformin Treated |
270 |
190 |
130 |
95 |
Table 1.6 Fasting Blood Glucose (mg/dL) (Combination)
|
S. No. |
Group |
Day 0 |
Day 7 |
Day 14 |
Day 21 |
|
1. |
Normal Control |
90 |
88 |
87 |
85 |
|
2. |
Diabetic Control |
270 |
285 |
295 |
305 |
|
3. |
10.5281/zenodo.15806208