Evaluation of Safety of Stewart’s Wood Fern (Dryopteris stewartii) and Its Anti-Hyperglycemic Potential in Alloxan-Induced Diabetic Mice

Abstract

Diabetes has become a critical challenge to the global health concerns. Cytotoxicity and development of resistance against available drugs for management of diabetes have shifted the focus of global scientific researchers from synthetic to herbal medications. Therefore, the current study was conducted to investigate the possible anti-hyperglycemic potential of Dryopteris stewartii using Swiss albino mice. To evaluate any possible toxic effect of the plant, acute oral toxicity test was performed while the anti-diabetic effects of aqueous and ethanol extracts at 500 mg/kg, positive, negative and normal control were assessed simultaneously. The anti-diabetic study revealed that aqueous extract has higher anti-diabetic potential than ethanol extract while lowered blood glucose level at second week reaching 150 mg/dL, exerting stronger anti-diabetic effects, compared to ethanol extract (190 mg/dL). Oral glucose tolerance findings revealed that aqueous extract decreased blood glucose level by −0.41-fold, compared to ethanol extract showing a decrease by only −0.29-folds. The histopathological evaluation of liver and pancreas of all groups revealed normal cell architecture with no morphological abnormalities. These results suggested the possible use of D. stewartii as anti-diabetic herbal drug in near future. However, these recommendations are conditioned by deep mechanistic studies.

Delving the Role of the Ameliorative Effects of <i>Caralluma tuberculata</i> N.E.Br. (Apocynaceae) on Diabetes and Its Effect on the Organs Weight of Alloxan-Induced Adult Male Mice

“…The inability to adequately utilize macromolecules (carbohydrates, proteins, and lipids) leads to hyperglycemic states and an increased risk of cardiovascular disease in people with diabetes mellitus (DM). Diabetes mellitus is a group of metabolic disorders characterized by impaired glucose regulation due to impaired insulin production [1]. Diabetes mellitus (DM) is believed to be a worldwide disease that results from either a genetic predisposition or an acquired inability of the pancreas to produce sufficient insulin, leading to insulin resistance at peripheral receptors or an inability of insulin to perform its function [2].…”

“…Pakistan has the seventh-highest prevalence of diabetes in the world and is among the top 10 countries with the highest prevalence of this disease. The prevalence of diabetes in Pakistan was recently estimated to be 7.6-11% and is expected to reach 15% by 2030, which would rank Pakistan fourth in the world [1]. Globally, over 700 billion (10%) more is spent annually on diabetes, and common medications have harmful consequences with prolonged used.…”