Evaluation of the Antidiabetic Potential of Aqueous Extract of Sansevieria Trifasciata in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Wistar Rats

Abstract

Background Diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disorder characterized by persistent hyperglycemia resulting from impaired insulin secretion or action, or both. Increasing attention has been directed toward medicinal plants and their bioactive constituents as potential sources of complementary and alternative approaches for diabetes management. Aim The present study was undertaken to evaluate the antidiabetic potential of an aqueous leaf extract of Sansevieria trifasciata in streptozotocin-induced diabetic Wistar rats. Materials and Methods Fresh leaves of Sansevieria trifasciata were collected, authenticated, shade-dried, powdered, and extracted using an aqueous decoction method. Preliminary qualitative phytochemical screening was performed to identify major phytochemical constituents. Adult Wistar albino rats weighing 180–220 g were divided into five groups of six animals each: normal control, diabetic control, standard drug-treated group, and two extract-treated groups receiving 1800 and 3600 mg/kg, respectively. Experimental diabetes was induced by intraperitoneal administration of streptozotocin at a dose of 40 mg/kg body weight. Fasting blood glucose levels were assessed at predetermined intervals during the 14-day treatment period. Changes in body weight and serum lipid parameters were also evaluated. Results Preliminary phytochemical screening of the aqueous leaf extract revealed the presence of flavonoids, saponins, tannins, alkaloids, glycosides, and steroidal/triterpenoid constituents, whereas anthraquinones were not detected. Streptozotocin administration produced marked hyperglycemia in the experimental animals. Treatment with the aqueous extract resulted in a progressive reduction in blood glucose levels, with the 3600 mg/kg dose producing a greater reduction than the 1800 mg/kg dose. At Day 14, blood glucose levels were 145.01 ± 2.0 mg/dL and 95.02 ± 2.0 mg/dL in the 1800 and 3600 mg/kg extract groups, respectively, compared with 72.29 ± 1.6 mg/dL in the glibenclamide-treated group. Extract-treated animals also showed improvement in body-weight changes compared with diabetic control animals. Conclusion The aqueous leaf extract of Sansevieria trifasciata demonstrated promising antihyperglycemic activity in streptozotocin-induced diabetic Wistar rats. The activity may be associated with the phytochemical constituents present in the extract. Further studies involving detailed biochemical, molecular, and mechanistic investigations are required to establish its therapeutic potential and mechanism of action.