Aqueous-ethanol extract of Acacia ampliceps Maslin mitigates hyperglycemia and oxidative stress in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

Background: Diabetes mellitus is a major global health issue with a significant and increasing prevalence. Despite advancements in diabetes mellitus treatment, its occurrence and associated mortality rates remain high. Objectives: This study investigated the potential antidiabetic effects of Acacia ampliceps Maslin and validated its traditional use in folk medicine. Methods: Streptozotocin was used to induce type 2 diabetes mellitus in male Sprague-Dawley rats. After diabetes induction, oral doses of Acacia ampliceps leaf extract at various concentrations, such as 125 mg/kg, 250 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg, as well as glibenclamide, were administered for a duration of 35 days. Subsequently, antioxidant and histopathological assessments, blood samples and tissue specimens were taken. Results: EAA underwent a series of in-vitro analyses, including phytochemical screening, antioxidant activity testing and evaluation of its inhibitory effects on ?-amylase. It is well known that acarbose inhibits ?-amylase, thereby slowing the breakdown of carbohydrates and leading to a subsequent decline in blood glucose levels. EAA demonstrated ?-amylase inhibitory activity, but its potency was lower than that of acarbose (IC50: 53.15 vs 11.98 µg/mL). EAA decreased malondialdehyde levels while superoxide dismutase, glutathione and catalase levels increased. During the gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis of EAA, potential antidiabetic phytoconstituents were also identified. Conclusion: The results indicate that EAA contains pharmacologically active compounds with antioxidant and ?-amylase-inhibitory properties, making it effective in treating STZ-induced T2DM.