Newly synthesised chalcone derivative attenuates hyperglycaemia by regulating blood glucose and serum biochemical profile in streptozotocin-induced rats

Objectives: The massive epidemic of diabetes around the world demands newer drugs with better efficacy, safety and patient compliance. In this current situation, plant-based research has been mastered due to their suitable nature and activity, and chalcone has provided a beneficial effect as an anti-hyperglycaemic agent in recent years. Materials and Methods: A Novel chalcone derivative has been synthesised and characterised by various analytical methods. The anti-hyperglycaemic activity was evaluated in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced Swiss-albino rats through the evaluation of oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), serum biochemical analysis, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and histopathology of pancreas. Results: The in silico study exhibited great binding energy with human glucokinase, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors gamma-retinoid X receptor. As per the anti-hyperglycaemic study, the chalcone derivative showed a significant decrease in elevated sugar levels after a glucose load in OGTT. A significant reduction in water intake rate was also noted in the chalcone-treated animals as compared to the diabetic control. Moreover, the serum biochemical parameters depicted the downregulation of different related factors, like glycated haemoglobin and an increased level of high-density lipoprotein due to chalcone therapy. Chalcone also significantly restored the morphological architecture of the pancreas with significant upregulation of antioxidant levels and reduction of inflammatory cytokines such as tumour necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-6. Conclusion: The present study demonstrated the potential antihyperglycaemic effect of a novel chalcone derivative against STZ-induced type II diabetes through the regulation of blood glucose level. In addition, the chalcone treatment restored the pancreatic β-cell mass and prevented degeneration of islet cells through downregulating the expression of proinflammatory cytokines and elevating antioxidant levels in the pancreas.