THERAPEUTIC POTENTIAL OF A PLANT-BASED NUTRACEUTICAL FORMULATION IN SUPPORTING Β-CELL FUNCTION AND REGENERATIVE CAPACITY FOR DIABETES MANAGEMENT

Introduction: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is characterized by progressive pancreatic β-cell deterioration and chronic inflammation, affecting over 536.6 million adults globally. While conventional treatments exist, they often present limitations including inadequate β-cell protection and potential toxicities. This study evaluated the therapeutic potential of a Instanema in supporting β-cell function and regenerative capacity and maintaining normal blood glucose level. Materials and Methods: The study utilized STZ-induced diabetic Wistar rats (n=10/group) divided into four groups: normal control, diabetic control, glibenclamide (10 mg/kg), and Instanema (250 mg/kg). The 28-day treatment protocol assessed fasting blood glucose, insulin levels, inflammatory markers (IFN-γ, IL-1β, IL-6), and pancreatic histopathology. Results: Instanema treatment significantly reduced fasting blood glucose from 384.30 mg/dL to 160.71 mg/dL and improved insulin levels (1.80 ng/mL vs. 0.42 ng/mL in diabetic controls). The formulation demonstrated marked anti-inflammatory effects, reducing elevated levels of IFN-γ, IL-1β, and IL-6 towards normal ranges. Histopathological analysis revealed notable preservation of pancreatic islet architecture and reduced inflammatory damage in treated specimens, suggesting potential regenerative capabilities. Conclusion: Instanema demonstrates promising therapeutic potential in diabetes management through multiple mechanisms, including glycaemic control, anti-inflammatory effects, and β-cell protection. The formulation's ability to promote β-cell regeneration while managing inflammation and hyperglycaemia warrants further clinical investigation.