Protective Role of Aconitum heterophyllum Ethanolic Root Extract Against Streptozotocin-induced Diabetes in Rats.

INTRODUCTION: This study aimed to evaluate the antidiabetic potential of Aconitum heterophyllum ethanolic extract (AHEE) in streptozotocin-induced diabetic Wistar rats. Diabetes mellitus, a metabolic disorder marked by hyperglycemia, oxidative stress, hyperlipidemia, and reduced insulin production, leads to elevated glucose, cholesterol, triglycerides, and LDL levels, with decreased HDL and body weight. Despite its global prevalence, diabetes is largely managed rather than cured. Owing to their bioactive compounds, medicinal plants like A. heterophyllum, known for antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, may protect pancreatic β-cells by reducing oxidative stress and inflammation. METHODS: After extract preparation and preliminary testing, 30 adult Wistar rats were used for invivo screening. Using Glibenclamide (GLBMD 5 mg/kg) as the standard drug and Streptozotocin (STZ, 55 mg/kg) as the diabetes-inducing agent, the animals were divided into five groups (n=6) and treated for 21 days. The impact of AHEE was evaluated by measuring biochemical parameters and histological alterations. RESULTS: STZ-induced diabetic rats exhibited significantly elevated blood glucose levels (p < 0.05) and reduced body weight compared with controls. Treatment with AHEE (100 and 200 mg/kg) for 21 days significantly lowered fasting blood glucose and improved body weight from the first week onward. Both doses also ameliorated dyslipidemia, improved liver (SGPT, SGOT, ALP, TB) and kidney (urea, creatinine) function markers, and restored normal histoarchitecture of the liver, kidney, and pancreatic tissues. DISCUSSION: The antihyperglycemic effect of AHEE, along with improvements in biochemical and histopathological parameters, suggests its potential to protect pancreatic β-cells and alleviate diabetes- associated metabolic and organ dysfunction. These findings indicate that AHEE possesses significant antidiabetic, hepatoprotective, and renoprotective activities in STZ-induced diabetic rats. CONCLUSION: This study found that when AHEE was administered to STZ-induced diabetic rats, both dosages exhibited antidiabetic and hypolipidemic effects.