Antidiabetic and Antihyperlipidemic Effects of Bacopa Monnieri Leaf Extract in High-Fat Diet and Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rats

Abstract

Bacopa monnieri (L.) Wettst., commonly known as Brahmi, is a creeping perennial herb of the family Scrophulariaceae widely used in Ayurvedic medicine. The present study aimed to investigate the antidiabetic and antihyperlipidemic potential of Bacopa monnieri leaf extracts in high-fat diet and streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. Administration of the ethanolic extract (300 mg/kg) significantly reduced fasting blood glucose, total cholesterol, triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein (LDL), very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL), serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels, while high-density lipoprotein (HDL) levels were significantly increased. Histopathological examination of pancreatic tissue revealed regeneration and increased size and number of β-cells in the islets of Langerhans. Acute toxicity studies confirmed the safety of the extract up to 2000 mg/kg. These findings demonstrate that the ethanolic extract of Bacopa monnieri leaves possesses significant hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic activity, supporting its traditional use in the management of diabetes mellitus and highlighting its potential as a natural antioxidant source.