Abstract
Type II diabetes mellitus is a serious health issue with approximately 537 million people affected globally. It can result in serious problems related to oxidative stress, dyslipidaemia, and hyperglycaemia. There is growing interest for the use of natural remedies as an alternative because of the several adverse effects associated with conventional drugs. Traditionally, medicinal plants such as Dillenia indica L. (D. indica) have been utilised for the management and treatment of metabolic diseases. The current study investigated the anti-diabetic, anti-oxidant, and fat lowering potential of D. indica fruit extract in streptozotocin (STZ) induced type II diabetes mellitus. Diabetes was induced by a single intraperitoneal injection of STZ (60 mg/kg), followed by oral treatment with D. indica fruit extract for 30 days at a dose of 200 and 400 mg/kg. Diabetes was confirmed by estimating blood glucose level; significant reductions in blood glucose levels were observed with a 38.78% decrease (P < 0.01) at a dose of 400 mg/kg. The D. indica fruit extract showed significant reduction in the level of triglycerides and total cholesterol. The fruit extract also attenuated hepatic dysfunction, reducing the levels of ALAT and ASAT by 57.95% and 52.71%, respectively, as compared to diabetic rats. Fruit extract enhanced antioxidant activity by increasing SOD, CAT, and GPx activities. These findings demonstrate the anti-diabetic and anti-oxidant effects of D. indica, which supports its potential use in the treatment of type II diabetes mellitus.