Effects of Neocarya macrophylla Chloroform Fraction on Glycemic Control and Tissue Integrity in Experimental Type 2 Diabetes
Abstract
Background: Type 2 diabetes mellitus is associated with persistent hyperglycemia, dyslipidemia, hepatic dysfunction, renal impairment, and progressive tissue injury. Despite the availability of conventional antidiabetic drugs, limitations relating to cost, accessibility, and adverse effects continue to drive interest in medicinal plants with potential therapeutic value. Neocarya macrophylla (Nm) has been traditionally used in the management of diabetes; however, its pharmacological efficacy remains insufficiently validated. This study investigated the antidiabetic and organ-protective effects of the chloroform fraction of Nm leaves in high-fat diet/ streptozotocin–induced type 2 diabetic Wistar rats. Methods: Twenty-four male Wistar rats were randomly assigned into four groups (n = 6): normal control, diabetic control, Nm chloroform fraction-treated (180 mg/kg), and metformintreated (200 mg/kg). Type 2 diabetes was induced using a high-fat diet followed by a single intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (40 mg/kg). Treatments were administered orally for 4 weeks. Fasting blood glucose (FBG), body mass index, liver function indices, lipid profile, renal biomarkers, hematological parameters, and histopathological alterations in hepatic, renal, and pancreatic tissues were evaluated. Results: Administration of the chloroform fraction significantly reduced FBG levels by −60% (210 mg/dL to 85 mg/dL) compared with diabetic controls (P < 0.001). Treatment with the chloroform fraction of Nm significantly reduced FBG compared with the diabetic control (P = 0.0055), improved Homeostatic Model Assessment of Insulin Resistance (P = 0.0032) and Homeostatic Model Assessment of β-cell Function (P = 0.0003), reduced aspartate aminotransferase (P < 0.001), alanine aminotransferase (P < 0.001), urea and creatinine (P < 0.05), improved lipid profile (P = 0.001–0.004), and restored pancreatic, hepatic, and renal histoarchitecture (P < 0.001).