Gynura procumbens Leaf Extract Ameliorates Hyperglycemia, Oxidative Stress, and Pancreatic Islet Damage in Diabetic Rats

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Conventional antidiabetic drugs, while effective, are often associated with adverse effects, secondary failure, and high costs, particularly in developing countries. This has driven interest in complementary plant‑based therapies. Gynura procumbens is a medicinal plant traditionally used in Southeast Asia for diabetes and metabolic disorders, however scientific evidences supporting this use have not been elucidated well. In this study, G. procumbens leaf extract (GPLE) was assessed whether it could lower glucose, restore antioxidant enzymes including superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx), reduce the oxidative marker malondialdehyde (MDA), suppress pro‑inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin (IL)‑6, IL‑8, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)‑α, and improve pancreatic structure in diabetic rats.

METHODS: Twenty eight male Wistar rats were divided into four groups: normal rats, untreated diabetic rats, and diabetic rats given 500 or 1000 mg/kg of GPLE orally for 14 days. Blood glucose, SOD, GPx, and MDA were measured by spectrophotometry, while IL‑6, IL‑8, and TNF‑α were measured by enzyme‑linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Pancreas sections were stained with H&E.

RESULTS: Administration of both extract doses significantly lowered fasting blood glucose by approximately 66% relative to the untreated diabetic control group (p<0.05). The administration of 1000 mg/kg GPLE increased SOD activity by 107% and GPx activity by 488%, while reducing MDA by 95% (p<0.05). Proinflammatory cytokines were markedly suppressed IL‑6 by 76%, IL‑8 by 76%, and TNF‑α by 79% at the high dose. Histological examination showed that treated rats had nearly normal islet morphology, reduced vascular congestion, and almost no lymphocytic infiltration.

CONCLUSION: GPLE demonstrates promising antihyperglycemic, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory activities alongside structural pancreatic preservation in a preclinical model. These findings suggest its potential as a candidate for further exploration in complementary metabolic therapies.

KEYWORDS: antioxidants, diabetes mellitus, Gynura procumbens, histopathology, inflammation, oxidative stress