Anti Diabetic Activity of Ipomoea quamoclit L. in Streptozotocin Induced Diabetic Rats

Abstract

Diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disorder characterized by persistent hyperglycaemia and dyslipidaemia, leading to serious vascular complications. The present study evaluated the antidiabetic and antidyslipidaemic potential of the hydroalcoholic extract of Ipomoea quamoclit L. whole plant in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic wistar rats. The hydroalcoholic extract derived from the whole plant of Ipomoea quamoclit L.  (HAIQ) was subjected to acute toxicity and gross behavioral assessment in Swiss albino mice. Diabetes was induced by a single intraperitoneal injection of STZ (55 mg/kg). Diabetic rats were treated orally with the extract at doses of 250 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg for 30 days, while glibenclamide (10 mg/kg) served as the standard drug. Fasting blood glucose levels were monitored periodically, and serum lipid profile parameters along with body weight were assessed at the end of the study. No signs of toxicity or deaths were recorded at any of the tested doses, indicating a favorable safety profile of the extract. Treatment with the extract produced a significant and dose-dependent reduction in fasting blood glucose levels (p < 0.001). It also significantly improved lipid parameters by reducing triglycerides, total cholesterol, LDL, and VLDL levels while increasing HDL concentrations (p < 0.05 to p < 0.001). Furthermore, the extract prevented diabetes-induced body weight loss. The higher dose (500 mg/kg) exhibited greater efficacy, with effects comparable to glibenclamide. These findings suggest that Ipomoea quamoclit L. possesses significant antidiabetic and antihyperlipidemic activity and may serve as a promising natural therapeutic candidate for diabetes management.