Biochemical and Antioxidant Modulation by Solvent Fractions of Azanza garckeana Leaf Extract in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rats

Abstract

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a metabolic syndrome. Diabetes has become more common in recent years. Chemically generated drugs are used to lessen the effects of DM and its following repercussions due to unpleasant side effects such as weight gain, gastrointestinal issues, and heart failure. On the other hand, medicinal plants are considered safe, accessible, and affordable anti-diabetic remedies. This research aims to determine the antidiabetic effects of the different solvent fractions of Azanza garckeana in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. Twenty-eight (28) white albino rats weighing about 220–250g were used for this study and diabetes was induced by intraperitoneal injection of 55 mg/kg body weight of Streptozotocin feed with high fat diet. The albino rats were randomly divided into seven (7) groups which are as follows:  Groups; normal control, diabetic control groups, standard drug (metformin), diabetes treated, diabetes treated n-hexane, diabetes treated ethyl acetate, diabetes treated methanol, and diabetes treated aqueous with Azanza garckeana extracts (100 mg/kg) was administered for 28 days. Biochemical parameters, including fasting blood glucose, lipid profile, bilirubin, electrolytes, liver enzymes, and antioxidant enzymes were assessed. The results showed that the methanol fraction of Azanza garckeana leaf significantly reduced blood glucose levels while protein and albumin biomarkers were significantly (P ≤0.005), increased across groups. It also improved the lipid profiles, restored liver enzyme activity, and enhanced antioxidant defense mechanisms and at the same time a significant positive impact on hematological parameters. These findings support the traditional use of Azanza garckeana leaf in diabetes management and suggest its therapeutic potential for metabolic disorders.