Evaluation of the antidiabetic potential of DB-1 polyherbal formulation in streptozotocin-nicotinamide-induced type 2 diabetic rats

Abstract

Background: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a major and expanding non-communicable disease, characterized by persistent hyperglycemia and progressive metabolic dysfunction. This study investigated the antidiabetic potential of DB-1, a multi-herbal formulation, using complementary cell-free and cellular assays together with a streptozotocin–nicotinamide (STZ–NIC) rat model. Methods: DB-1 was evaluated for antioxidant, enzyme-inhibitory, anti-inflammatory, and cellular metabolic activities in vitro. Antidiabetic efficacy was further investigated in streptozotocin–nicotinamide-induced diabetic rats, with therapeutic administration initiated after diabetes induction and prophylactic administration initiated before STZ–NIC induction, with follow-up through day 84 . Metabolic, biochemical, physiological, and histopathological parameters were assessed. Results: DB-1 produced limited DPPH radical-scavenging activity but showed pronounced inhibition of α-glucosidase and reduced nitric oxide release from LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages. In diabetic rats, both treatment schedules lowered fasting blood glucose compared with the diabetic control group. The study were also observed in selected lipid variables, hepatic and renal biomarkers, and diabetes-associated histopathological alterations. Conclusion: DB-1 showed antidiabetic activity in STZ–NIC-induced diabetic rats, with improvements observed following both therapeutic and prophylactic administration. The findings support further investigation of DB-1, although the exploratory molecular and ATP-related findings require confirmation in studies with adequate biological replication.