Evaluation of antidiabetic, hypolipidemic and antioxidant activity of seaweed Halimeda macroloba in Wistar albino rats

Abstract

The seaweed Halimeda macroloba Decaisne, 1841 has been used in the pharmaceutical and nutraceutical industries, but no research has described its in-vivo activity. Therefore, the current study is done to explore the antidiabetic, hypolipidemic, and antioxidant properties of the hydroalcoholic extract of H. macroloba (HME) in Wistar rats. HME was prepared using 70 % alcohol as the solvent by maceration for 72 h. Nicotinamide (i.p., 110 mg/kg) and streptozotocin (i.p., 45 mg/kg) were administered to induce diabetes, and the diabetes status in the rats was assessed 72 h after induction. Following induction, the rats were randomly divided into seven groups and treated with two doses of HME and conventional medications. Weekly monitoring of body weight and fasting blood glucose, with monthly lipid profiles, was measured, and on the 90^th day, antioxidant parameters and HbA1c were measured. Histopathological analysis was performed on the renal, liver, and pancreatic tissues. Significant improvements in body weight and fasting blood glucose, and a reduction in HbA1c, have been observed following treatment with HME (100 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg). Similarly, HME substantially raised HDL levels while lowering LDL, TC, and TG. Comparing the HME groups to the untreated diabetic rats, there was a significant increase in the antioxidant levels of GSH, CAT, and SOD. However, compared to diabetic rats, HME groups had lower levels of MDA. Comparably, HME reversed the histological alterations and restored the liver, kidney, and pancreatic functions. The overall results show that administering HME improved BW, HbA1c, and glycemic management. Additionally, the lipid profiles and antioxidant activities have been considerably enhanced.