Investigation of the Antidiabetic and Antioxidant Potential of Artabotrys hexapetalus Extract: In Vitro and In Vivo Evaluation with Phytochemical Profiling

Abstract

Background: Artabotrys hexapetalus (AH) is a medicinal plant reported to possess diverse phytoconstituents and pharmacological activities. However, integrated evidence regarding its antioxidant and antidiabetic potential, particularly using in vivo experimental models, remains limited. The present study investigated the phytochemical profile, antioxidant activity, and antidiabetic potential of a 70% hydroalcoholic extract of AH using complementary in vitro and in vivo approaches.

Methods: The 70% hydroalcoholic extract prepared from the leaves and bark of AH was subjected to HPTLC profiling using rutin, gallic acid, quercetin, and kaempferol as reference standards. Antioxidant activity was evaluated by DPPH and nitric oxide radical-scavenging assays, while α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibition assays were used to assess in vitro antidiabetic activity. Acute oral toxicity was evaluated according to OECD guideline 423. In vivo antidiabetic activity was investigated in high-fat diet/streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats treated with 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg extract for four weeks. Fasting blood glucose, glucose tolerance, insulin tolerance, serum lipid profile, total protein, insulin, and pancreatic histopathology were evaluated.

Results: HPTLC fingerprinting revealed multiple phytoconstituents, with peaks corresponding to rutin, gallic acid, and quercetin, along with several additional chromatographic peaks. The extract demonstrated concentration-dependent antioxidant activity, with IC₅₀ values of 30.813 µg/mL for DPPH and 26.923 µg/mL for nitric oxide scavenging. No mortality or treatment-related toxicity was observed up to 2000 mg/kg. In diabetic rats, Artabotrys hexapetalus treatment produced a dose-related reduction in fasting blood glucose, improved glucose tolerance, and enhanced glucose lowering following insulin challenge, with the 200 and 400 mg/kg doses showing greater effects. The 400 mg/kg dose also improved the diabetes-associated lipid abnormalities, increasing HDL and reducing LDL and triglycerides, while partially restoring serum total protein and insulin levels. Histopathological examination demonstrated improved pancreatic architecture and preservation of islet morphology at 400 mg/kg.

Conclusion: The findings indicate that the 70% hydroalcoholic extract of AH possesses appreciable antioxidant and antidiabetic potential in vitro and in vivo. The higher extract doses, particularly 400 mg/kg, produced consistent improvements in glycemic, lipid, insulin-related, and pancreatic histological parameters. These findings support further investigation of AH and its bioactive constituents as potential candidates for antidiabetic drug development.