Evaluation of hypolipidemic and hypoglycemic effects of Dillenia indica L. on alloxan-induced diabetic rats

Context: Dillenia indica L. a tropical fruit-bearing plant native to South and Southeast Asia, has attracted scientific interest due to its rich phytochemical composition and potential therapeutic benefits in managing diabetes, lipid disorders, and oxidative stress. Objective: The objective of this study was to investigate the potential antidiabetic and lipid-lowering properties of D. indica fruit and bark extracts in a rat model of alloxan-induced type 2 diabetes. Methods: Diabetes was induced in rats using an intraperitoneal injection of alloxan monohydrate (160 mg/kg) after a 12-hour fast. The chloroform fractions of D. indica fruit and bark (200 mg/kg) were administered intraperitoneally, with metformin (150 mg/kg) serving as the standard drug. Fasting blood glucose (FBG) levels were measured at 0, 24, 40, and 50 hours. Upon completion of the experiment, blood samples were collected for the evaluation of total cholesterol (TC) and triglyceride (TG) levels. Results: The chloroform fraction of D. indica fruit significantly reduced FBG levels by 65% after 50 hours, closely matching the effect of metformin. It also decreased the elevated TC and TG levels by 60% and 55%, respectively. In contrast, the bark extract initially lowered FBG but caused a 30% rebound increase at 50 hours and led to increased TC and TG levels by 28% and 54%, respectively. Conclusion: The chloroform fraction of D. indica fruit demonstrates potent antidiabetic and lipid-lowering activity, indicating its promise as a natural therapeutic agent for managing hyperglycemia and dyslipidemia in type 2 diabetes. The inconsistent effects of the bark extract warrant further investigation.