<i>Sargassum aquifolium</i> juice mitigates hyperglycaemia and inflammatory responses in diabetic rats

This study investigated the prophylactic potential of Sargassum aquifolium juice in enhancing insulin sensitivity and preventing hyperglycaemia and inflammation in diabetic rats. Active compounds were identified using HPLC-HRMS, and antihyperglycaemic properties were predicted via in silico analysis. Male Rattus norvegicus (n = 6 per group) were randomly assigned to five groups: healthy control, diabetic control, and diabetic groups treated with S. aquifolium juice once, twice, or thrice daily. Rats were fed an atherogenic diet and administered treatments from week 0 to 16, followed by intraperitoneal streptozotocin (STZ; 20 mg kg‒1 BW) injection at the end of week 16 or beginning of week 17. One-week post-injection, rats with fasting blood glucose > 200 mg dl‒1 were classified as diabetic and continued their assigned treatments. S. aquifolium juice administration was continued for an additional four weeks. Parameters assessed included blood glucose, insulin, homoeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), triglycerides, cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein (HDL), atherogenic index (AI), malondialdehyde (MDA), glucose transporter 4 (Glut 4), Ras-related protein 13 (Rab 13), Interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and Tumour Necrosis Factor-α (TNF-α). HPLC-HRMS and PASS online screening identified 18 bioactive compounds, among which carnitine exhibited predicted antidiabetic activity. Diabetic rats displayed marked hyperglycaemia and inflammation. Treatment with S. aquifolium juice twice daily significantly ameliorated hyperglycaemia, dyslipidaemia, and inflammation, probably by enhancing insulin levels, improving insulin sensitivity, and modulating Glut 4 and Rab 13 translocation in the soleus muscle. Additionally, inflammatory cytokines were suppressed. In conclusion, prophylactic administration of S. aquifolium juice, particularly twice daily, demonstrated potential in protecting against hyperglycaemia, hyperlipidaemia, and inflammatory responses in diabetic rats. These findings provide new insights into the development of dietary interventions for diabetes prevention.