Abstract

Diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disorder associated with hyperglycemia, oxidative stress, and organ dysfunction. The limitations of conventional therapies have heightened interest in medicinal plants with potential antidiabetic properties. This study evaluated the antidiabetic activity of the methanolic extract of Azanza garckeana in alloxan-induced diabetic Wistar rats. In vivo, diabetes was induced by intraperitoneal administration of alloxan (150 mg/kg body weight (b.w.)). The animals were divided into five groups: normal control, untreated diabetic group, extract-treated diabetic group (150 and 300 mg/kg b.w.), and glibenclamide-treated diabetic rats (50 mg/kg b.w.). Fasting blood glucose was monitored weekly for three weeks, alongside biochemical, hematological, and histopathological evaluations. Phytochemical screening of the extract revealed the presence of phenols, flavonoids, tannins, alkaloids, and saponins. In vitro antioxidant assays (DPPH, FRAP, and TAC) demonstrated dose-dependent radical scavenging and reducing activity, with results comparable to standard antioxidants. The extract significantly (P < 0.05) reduced blood glucose in a dose-dependent manner, with the group of 300 mg/kg b.w. achieving near-normal levels comparable to those of glibenclamide. Antioxidant biomarkers revealed a marked reduction in malondialdehyde and hydrogen peroxide, while glutathione and superoxide dismutase levels were restored. Hematological indices improved significantly, with normalization of RBC, HGB, and HCT, and reduction of WBC counts. Histological analysis of the pancreas, liver, and kidneys showed restoration of tissue architecture and reduced alloxan-induced damage in extract-treated groups. In conclusion, the methanolic extract of A. garckeana exhibits potent antidiabetic and antioxidant activities, ameliorates hematological disturbances, and confers organ-protective effects in diabetic rats. These findings provide insight for the traditional use of A. garckeana in diabetes management. It highlights its potential for development as a complementary therapeutic agent.

Key words: Azanza garckeana, Diabetes mellitus, Antioxidants, Phytochemicals, Hematology, Histopathology, Glibenclamide