Evaluation of the anti-diabetic potency of Tinospora cordifolia stem against streptozotocin and high-fat diet-induced diabetic rats

In the Indian Ayurvedic system, Tinospora cordifolia is highly prized for its distinct phytochemical components. While the sun-dried portions of this herb have been less examined, the shade-dried stem has been thoroughly investigated for its potential to prevent diabetes. Hence, the present study assesses the anti-diabetic efficacy of the sun-dried stem of T. cordifolia using streptozotocin and a high-fat-diet (HFD)-induced diabetic rat model. GC-MS (gas chromatography-mass spectrometry) analysis revealed that anti-diabetic components like octacosanol, oleic acid, and palmitoleic acid were present in its methanolic extract. The in vivo investigation showed that the induction of diabetes evoked some physical alterations, such as weight loss and reduction in gonad size, in male Wistar rats, which were improved after supplementation with T. cordifolia . The 900 mg/kg wt dose showed the strongest capacity to lower fasting blood glucose (FBG) (71%), whereas triglyceride (<60 mg/dL) and total cholesterol (<80 mg/dL) were significantly lowered in treated groups compared to the controls. Though FBG levels were lowered in the treatment groups, serum insulin levels (26.09 pg/mL) did not show any elevation in values. Simultaneously, leptin hormone was improved along with serum vitamin D levels, and no improvement or major changes in pancreatic tissues were found. This study is the first to report that T. cordifolia extract can increase serum vitamin D levels in diabetic rats and may have a role in vitamin D regulation.