Abstract:

Background:Hyperlipidemia and diabetes mellitus are major metabolic disorders associated with increased morbidity and mortality worldwide. Medicinal plants are increasingly being explored as potential therapeutic agents for the management of these conditions.
Objective: This study evaluated the antihyperlipidemic and antihyperglycemic effects of the methanolic extract of Desmostachyabipinnata in experimental rat models.
Materials and Methods: Adult male Wistar rats (150–200 g) were randomly allocated into five groups. Hyperlipidemia was induced using a high-fat diet in combination with Triton X-100. Animals received either the standard drug or methanolic extract of D. bipinnata at doses of 200 and 400 mg/kg. For assessment of antihyperglycemic activity, glucose-loaded rats were similarly divided into treatment groups receiving the standard drug or plant extract. Serum lipid parameters and blood glucose levels were determined using standard biochemical methods.
Results: Induction with a high-fat diet and Triton X-100 significantly increased total cholesterol, triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein (LDL), and very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) levels while reducing high-density lipoprotein (HDL) concentrations. Administration of D. bipinnata extract produced a marked improvement in the lipid profile by lowering cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL, and VLDL levels and enhancing HDL concentrations. In the oral glucose challenge model, the extract significantly reduced elevated blood glucose levels in a dose-dependent manner.
Conclusion: The methanolic extract of Desmostachyabipinnata demonstrated significant antihyperlipidemic and antihyperglycemic activities in experimental rats. These findings suggest that the plant possesses promising bioactive constituents that may contribute to the development of novel therapeutic agents for the management of metabolic disorders such as hyperlipidemia and diabetes.