Hypoglycemic and Pancreatoprotective Potentials of Phyllanthus amarus Methanolic Extract in Alloxan-Induced Diabetic Rats

International Journal of Medicine and Medical Sciences | Vol. 12, No. 9, September 2022 | pp. 65–72

DOI: 10.46882/2022/IJMMS/120065

Original Research Article

Hypoglycemic and Pancreatoprotective Potentials of Phyllanthus amarus Methanolic Extract in Alloxan-Induced Diabetic Rats

Mustapha T. Gidado¹, Rose C. Obi², Elizabeth W. Wanjiku¹*

¹Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Maiduguri, Maiduguri, Nigeria.

²Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacognosy, School of Pharmacy, University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya.

Abstract:

Pancreatic islet cell damage caused by chronic oxidative stress is a hallmark of experimental and clinical diabetes mellitus. This animal study investigated the hypoglycemic, antioxidant, and pancreatoprotective effects of a crude methanolic extract of Phyllanthus amarus leaves (MEPA) in alloxan-induced diabetic Wistar rats. Hyperglycemia was induced via a single intraperitoneal injection of alloxan (150 mg/kg). Thirty-five rats were allocated to 5 groups: Normal Control, Diabetic Control, Glibenclamide group (2 mg/kg), and two diabetic groups treated orally with MEPA at 200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg body weight daily for 21 days. Fasting blood glucose (FBG) levels were evaluated weekly, and serum insulin and lipid markers were quantified at study termination. Oral administration of 400 mg/kg MEPA for 21 days resulted in a significant reduction in mean FBG from 17.42 ± 1.35 mmol/L to 5.92 ± 0.42 mmol/L (p < 0.01), showing comparable efficacy to the glibenclamide group (5.54 ± 0.38 mmol/L). MEPA significantly increased serum insulin concentrations (from 3.8 ± 0.5 μIU/mL to 12.4 ± 1.2 μIU/mL, p < 0.01 vs. diabetic control). Tissue analysis showed that MEPA lowered pancreatic malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and significantly restored catalase and glutathione peroxidase activities (p < 0.01). Histopathological analysis confirmed these biochemical findings, showing marked restoration of pancreatic islet volume and reduced cellular necrosis. Phyllanthus amarus leaves possess potent hypoglycemic and antioxidant properties that protect pancreatic tissue and enhance insulin secretion.

Keywords: Phyllanthus amarus, Diabetes Mellitus, Alloxan, Hypoglycemic, Oxidative Stress, Pancreatoprotection

Manuscript Timeline: Received: June 15, 2022; Revised: July 22, 2022; Accepted: August 14, 2022; Published: September 14, 2022.

Citation: Gidado MT, Obi RC, Wanjiku EW. Hypoglycemic and Pancreatoprotective Potentials of Phyllanthus amarus Methanolic Extract in Alloxan-Induced Diabetic Rats. International Journal of Medicine and Medical Sciences, 2022, 12(9): 65–72. DOI: 10.46882/2022/IJMMS/120065

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