Promising anitidiabetic potential of Cuscuta reflexa leaves methanol extract in alloxan-induced diabetic rats

Cuscuta reflexa (C. reflexa) Roxb. (Convolvulaceae) has medicinal properties for the effective management of several aliments including diabetes mellitus, inflammation, and gastric ulcer. The present investigation focuses on the antidiabetic potential of C. reflexa leaves methanol extract in alloxan-induced diabetic rats. The antidiabetic activity of C. reflexa leaves methanol extract (CRME) was evaluated using alloxan-induced diabetes in Wistar albino rats. The duration of the study was 45 days. Diabetic model was developed by i.p. administration of alloxan monohydrate (120 mg/kg). Ingestion of CRME (100, 200, and 400 mg/kg/day) and standard (gliclazide, 10 mg/kg/day) was done via oral route from the day of diabetes induction and continued up to 45 days. The effect of CRME was investigated by evaluating the blood glucose concentrations, HbA1C, insulin, lipid profile and liver function test. Further, the protective potentials of CRME were studied by histopathology of the pancreas, liver, and kidney tissues from experimental rats. CRME showed significant (p < 0.01 at all doses) reduction of blood glucose level (137.1 ± 5.8, 125.9 ± 6.5, and 109.5 ± 5.4 mg/dL at the doses of 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg, respectively) as compared to the diabetic control (249.7 ± 7.3 mg/dL). Moreover, CRME at the highest dose decreased HbA1C and improved insulin levels (3.96% and 11 ng/ml, respectively) when compared with diabetic control group (7.55% and 6.5 ng/ml, respectively). CRME also revealed pronounced improvement in liver function test and lipid profile test when compared to the diabetic control. Furthermore, CRME notably reversed the histopathological changes that observed in alloxan-induced diabetes. Our research exertion clearly demonstrates that CRME can be explored as a substantial antidiabetic and organ protective agent in the management of diabetes.