Antioxidant and Antidiabetic Properties of Capparis ovata var. canescens Plant Extract

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a prevalent metabolic disorder that adversely affects multiple organ systems, including the heart, kidneys, brain, and eyes. Capparis ovata, a plant used in traditional medicine, has demonstrated various pharmacological properties, including antioxidant, anticholinesterase, anti-inflammatory, antitumor, antibacterial, and immunostimulatory effects. In this study, we investigated the potential antidiabetic properties of Capparis ovata var. canescens (CO) through in vivo experiments. The above-ground parts of the CO plant were extracted using the maceration method with methanol. Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) was induced in Sprague-Dawley rats via streptozotocin and nicotinamide administration, after which the rats were treated with CO at doses of 20 mg/kg and 40 mg/kg for 21 days. During this period, key diabetic parameters, including body weight, blood glucose levels, oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), and insulin tolerance test (ITT), were assessed, along with biochemical analyses of pancreatic tissue. The results indicated that CO significantly improved blood glucose regulation at both doses, as evidenced by OGTT and ITT findings. Notably, the 40 mg/kg CO treatment enhanced insulin sensitivity in ITT, showing effects comparable to the positive control group treated with metformin (400 mg/kg). Furthermore, analysis of antioxidant parameters in pancreatic tissue suggested that CO may exhibit antioxidant activity and mitigate oxidative stress. These findings suggest that CO possesses potential therapeutic properties for the management and regulation of T2DM.