Salutary effect of <i>Commelina benghalensis</i> (Linn.) aerial parts on streptozotocin induced diabetes linked complications in rat: Effective extract selection study

The experiment was designed to identify the most effective extract of Commelina benghalensis aerial parts for the rectification of carbohydrate metabolic disorder, oxidative stress and hyperlipidemia in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats, developed with a single intramuscular injection of streptozotocin (4 mg/0.1 M citrate buffer/0.1 kg body weight). Diabetic rats were treated with 0.02 g of hydro-methanol (60:40) or hydro-ethanol (60:40) or aqueous extract orally per 0.1 kg body weight in 0.5 ml distilled water for 28 days and sacrificed on 29th day. Glycemic sensors levels, carbohydrate metabolizing enzyme activities, lipid profile, oxidative stress, toxicity markers, and pancreatic histological changes were assessed using standard protocols. Treatment with mentioned extracts of Commelina benghalensis significantly (p<0.05) improved body weight, fasting blood glucose, serum insulin, lipid profile, and carbohydrate metabolic enzyme kinetics in the liver, kidney and skeletal muscle in treated groups compared to untreated diabetic control group. Additionally, treatment of said extracts of Commelina benghalensis significantly restored (p<0.05) the levels of oxidative stress sensors and pancreatic histology towards untreated control group. Among the extracts, hydro-ethanolic extract showed highest efficacy for rectifying glycemic status, lipid profile, and oxidative stress condition for developing a safe, affordable and multi-targeted anti-diabetic herbal drug.