Dillenia indica fruit extract has Glucose and Cholesterol Lowering effects

Abstract Background Dillenia indica ( D. indica ) can suppress carbohydrates hydrolysis by inhibiting α-amylase and α-glucosidase. However, there is a lack of understanding of its therapeutic potential as an antidiabetic and anti-hyperlipidemic agent. Methods and findings Type 2 diabetes (T2D) was induced by a single intraperitoneal injection of Streptozotocin (STZ; 90mg/kg) and hyperlipidemia by feeding with 1% cholesterol, 5% coconut oil and 5% cow fat diet. Administration of D. indica extracts in water for four weeks triggered a significant (p≤0.05) reduction in fasting serum glucose (FSG) levels with concomitant improvement in serum insulin levels. Both the water- and ethanol-extract of D. indica treated groups showed significant (p≤0.01) reduction in total cholesterol levels by 25% and 19%, respectively. HDL-cholesterol was also augmented (by 14%) in ethanol-extract treated group. Liver glycogen content was higher in the water-extract treated group. Histopathological examination revealed that there was no tubular epithelial cell degeneration or necrosis in the renal tissues or hepatocyte degeneration and sinusoidal dilation in liver tissues in animals that received the water-extract. On the other hand, consumption of D. indica extract with 1% cholesterol, 5% coconut oil diet or with a 5% cow fat diet for 14 days significantly reduced serum cholesterol levels in group-lll (60→45 mg/dl; p≥0.05) and -IV (85→66 mg/dl; p≥0.05) hypercholesterolemic model rats. D. indica fruit extract also reduced serum TG levels (Group-III: 87→65 mg/dl; Group-IV: 40→90 mg/dl; p≥0.05). Interestingly, treatment with D. indica prevented a reduction in serum HDL levels in those hypercholesterolemic model rats. Serum LDL levels were significantly lower in group-III (47→39 mg/dl; p≥0.05) and group-IV (57→44 mg/dl; p≥0.05) hypercholesterolemic model rats after D. indica treatment. Conclusion D. indica fruit ameliorates FSG, insulin secretion, glycogen synthesis, and serum lipid profile. Therefore, D. indica fruit can be a potential therapeutic agent for diabetic and hyperlipidemia. Graphical Abstract Extract of D. indica in water reduces FSG, serum insulin levels, and ameliorates the serum lipid profile in diabetic model rats without any adverse effects on kidney and liver tissues. Extract of D. indica in ethanol significantly reduces serum cholesterol, TG, LDL with no reduction in HDL levels in hyper-lipidemic model rats. Highlights D. indica fruit extracts diminished fasting serum glucose (FSG) levels in STZ-induced type 2 diabetic model rats D. indica fruit extracts boosted insulin secretion D. indica fruit extracts showed no toxic effects on the kidney and the liver functions Extract in water was more effective in reducing FSG levels than extract in ethanol Chronic consumption of 1% cholesterol, 5% coconut oil and 5% cow fat diet was sufficient to make the rat hypercholesterolemic D. indica fruit extract has the potential to reduce serum cholesterol, TG, LDL with prevention in reduction in serum HDL levels.