Volume18,Issue2

Diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disorder characterized by persistent hyperglycemia resulting from impaired insulin secretion, insulin resistance, or both. Oxidative stress plays a major role in the progression of diabetes and its associated complications. Medicinal plants possessing antioxidant and antihyperglycemic activities are increasingly explored as alternative therapeutic agents. Prosopis cineraria is a traditional medicinal plant rich in flavonoids, tannins, phenolics, and alkaloids with reported antioxidant and pharmacological activities. The present study was designed to evaluate the antidiabetic activity of ethanolic leaf extract of Prosopis cineraria in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic Wistar rats. Diabetes was induced in Wistar rats using streptozotocin (STZ). Animals were divided into different experimental groups including normal control, diabetic control, standard drug-treated group, and extract-treated groups. Ethanolic leaf extract of Prosopis cineraria was administered orally for the experimental duration. Fasting blood glucose level, body weight, lipid profile, antioxidant parameters, and histopathological changes were evaluated. Methanolic leaf extract of Prosopis cineraria significantly reduced fasting blood glucose levels and improved body weight compared to diabetic control animals. The extract also improved lipid profile by reducing serum cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL, and VLDL levels while increasing HDL levels. Antioxidant enzyme activities such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione levels were restored in treated groups. Histopathological examination revealed regeneration and protection of pancreatic β-cells. The study demonstrated significant antidiabetic and antioxidant activity of Prosopis cineraria leaf extract in STZ-induced diabetic rats. The observed effects may be attributed to the presence of flavonoids and phenolic compounds. The findings support the traditional use of Prosopis cineraria in diabetes management and suggest its potential as a natural therapeutic agent.

Skin cancer is one of the most common forms of malignancy worldwide, and the search for safer and effective therapeutic agents remains a major area of research. The present study was designed to evaluate the anticancer and chemopreventive potential of Centella asiatica leaves extract against 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA)-induced skin carcinogenesis in Wistar rats. Ethanolic extract of Centella asiatica leaves was prepared using Soxhlet extraction and subjected to phytochemical screening and antioxidant evaluation. Skin carcinogenesis was induced using DMBA followed by croton oil promotion for 16 weeks. Experimental animals were divided into five groups: normal control, disease control, standard drug-treated group, low-dose extract-treated group, and high-dose extract-treated group. Parameters such as tumor incidence, tumor burden, antioxidant enzyme levels, and histopathological alterations were assessed. Preliminary phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of triterpenoids, flavonoids, tannins, phenolics, glycosides, and saponins. The ethanolic extract showed a percentage yield of 9.0% w/w. Administration of Centella asiatica extract significantly reduced tumor incidence, tumor burden, and tumor multiplicity in treated animals compared to the disease control group. The extract also improved antioxidant defense by enhancing superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione (GSH), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) levels while reducing lipid peroxidation (LPO). Histopathological studies demonstrated restoration of normal skin architecture with reduced inflammatory and neoplastic changes.
The findings suggest that Centella asiatica possesses significant chemopreventive and anticancer activity against DMBA-induced skin carcinogenesis, primarily through antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and apoptosis-modulating mechanisms. Therefore, Centella asiatica may serve as a promising natural therapeutic agent for the prevention and management of skin cancer.