Methanol Extract of Dryopteris dilatata Alleviates streptozotocin-induced Hyperglycaemia and Liver Injury in Male Wistar Rats in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Dysfunctional pancreatic beta cell and impaired glucose metabolism in the liver has been implicated in streptozotocin (STZ)-type 2 diabetes mellitus and this has been linked with increased oxidative stress. Whether methanol extract of Dryopteris dilatata (MEDd), a flavonoid-rich plant can ameliorate STZ- type 2 diabetes liver damage remains an issue. Hence, this study investigated the effect of methanol extract of Dryopteris dilatata on STZ- type 2 diabetes mellitus in male Wistar rat. Animals were randomly selected into five groups (n=5) and were treated as follows; group 1 received distilled water (10ml/kg), Group 2 received only STZ (60mg/kg), Group 3 and 4 received STZ then 400 and 800mg/kg of MEDd respectively while Group 5 received STZ then pioglitazone (10mg/kg). Following 14 days of treatment, animals were euthanized and blood as well as spleen, liver, pancreas and kidney tissues were collected for further studies. Our results revealed that MEDd significantly reduced STZ-induced hyperglycaemia in Diabetic rats. Markers of oxidative injury (MDA, NO and GSH) were also significantly ameliorated in the pancreas and liver of the diabetic rats following treatment with MEDd. However, liver injury markers (ALT, AST and ALP) were significantly attenuated with marked decreased in organ weight in the diabetic rats after treatment with MEDd. We found that methanol extract of Dryopteris dilatata demonstrated anti-diabetogenic and hepato-protective potential by enhancing in vivo hepato-pancreatic antioxidant defence system.