Investigation of the Anti-Inflammatory, Anti-Diabetic, and Antioxidant Potential of Ethanolic Extract of Xanthium strumarium Leaves: A Comprehensive In Vivo and In Vitro Evaluation
Background: Xanthium strumarium L. is a medicinal herb extensively used in traditional medicine as a remedy for different diseases. In order to evaluate the anti-diabetic, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant effects of the ethanolic leaf extract of Xanthium strumarium, this study was conducted. Methods: For the assessment of the anti-inflammatory effect, carrageenan-induced paw edema in mice model was used. The anti-diabetic effect was tested in an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) model. Anti-oxidant effect was analyzed using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging assay. Ethanolic extract of Xanthium strumarium was used in a dose of 500 mg/kg body weight and was compared with standard drugs such as diclofenac sodium (10 mg/kg) and metformin (100 mg/kg). Results: In the study on anti-inflammatory activity, the ethanolic extract of Xanthium strumarium resulted in significant reduction in paw edema in comparison with diclofenac sodium (68.85 % and 82.24 % respectively). In the OGTT model, the extract significantly decreased plasma glucose levels during the experiment with 58.14 % inhibition compared to 84.41 % of metformin. In the DPPH assay, the extract possessed concentration dependent anti-oxidative activity with percentage inhibition rising from 4.38 % at 1 mg/ml to 56.75 % at 100 mg/ml and ascorbic acid with 8.76 % to 85.72 % inhibition over the same concentration range. Conclusion: As a result of this study, it could be concluded that ethanolic leaf extract of Xanthium strumarium possesses significant anti-diabetic, anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant activity. Pharmacological effects found in the study confirm the use of this plant in traditional medicine and make it promising in terms of finding a natural bioactive compound for the treatment of diabetes, inflammation, and oxidation associated diseases.