Aescin as a therapeutic agent: anti-hyperglycemic and anti-oxidative effects in diabetic Wistar rats

Introduction: Considering the rapidly expanding prevalence of Diabetes mellitus (DM) and high consumption of sugary products including fructose as a key ingredient, it is necessary to assess novel drugs and botanicals for their effectiveness in regulating blood sugar concentrations and regulating physiological processes of cellular secretion. Objective: To investigate the anti-hyperglycemic and anti-oxidative effects of aescin against fructose-fed diabetic albino Wistar rats. Materials and Methods: A quasi-experimental study was conducted at the Department of Anatomy, Muhammad Medical College, Mirpurkhas, Sindh from July-December 2022. Twenty male albino Wistar rats having body weights ranging between 150 to 250 grams were included in the study and uniformly divided into 4 groups: A (Control), B (Fructose-fed 10g/kg/day orally), C (Fructose + Aescin 1.8mg/kg/day) and Group D ((Fructose + Aescin 3.6 mg/kg /day) after acclimatization. Intra-cardiac blood sampling was performed post-euthanasia to analyze blood glucose, insulin, and anti-oxidative markers of all groups. Histopathological analysis of pancreatic tissues was done using a light microscope. Results: Study findings revealed that Group A rats had a fasting blood glucose level of 99.2 ± 1.1 mg/dl, while group B exhibited the highest level at 187.6 ± 1.3 mg/dl. Aescin treatment led to significant reductions in glucose levels in groups C (171.4 ± 1.1 mg/dl) and D (162.5 ± 1.9 mg/dl). Serum insulin levels mirrored these findings, with group B at 10.7 ± 0.1 IU/L, indicating insulin resistance, while groups C and D showed reductions to 8.5 ± 0.1 IU/L and 7.6 ± 0.2 IU/L, respectively, highlighting improved insulin sensitivity. Additionally, HOMA-IR was highest in group B at 4.9 ± 0.1, with groups C and D showing lower values of 3.6 ± 0.1 and 3.1 ± 0.1. Conclusion: Aescin exhibits the potential to alleviate anti-hyperglycemic and anti-oxidative effects on the regulation of blood glucose and protecting pancreas in diabetic albino Wistar rats given fructose.