Guardians of Health: Exploring Ipomea Aquatica Extract's Protective Influence on Diabetic Rats Amid Arsenic-Induced Organ Dysfunction

Abstract

The coexistence of diabetes mellitus and arsenic exposure represents a significant and growing public health concern, as both conditions synergistically contribute
to metabolic imbalance and organ damage. The present study was designed to investigate the antidiabetic and organ-protective potential of Ipomoea aquatica in
streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats subjected to arsenic toxicity. Experimental diabetes was induced using STZ (40 mg/kg), followed by arsenic trioxide
administration (8 mg/kg). Animals were categorized into four groups, including diabetic control, arsenic-exposed diabetic, metformin-treated, and Ipomoea
aquatica extract-treated groups. Blood glucose levels were assessed at regular intervals, and biochemical markers of liver and kidney function were evaluated at
the end of the experimental period. Arsenic exposure in diabetic rats resulted in a marked elevation of blood glucose levels and significant derangement in
biochemical parameters, indicating severe hepatic and renal dysfunction. Treatment with Ipomoea aquatica extract (400 mg/kg) led to a substantial reduction in
hyperglycemia and effectively restored altered biochemical indices, including liver enzymes and urea levels, toward normal values. Notably, the extract
demonstrated comparatively better overall improvement than metformin in mitigating combined metabolic and toxic insults. These effects may be attributed to
the presence of bioactive phytoconstituents such as phenolics and flavonoids, which are known to exert antioxidant and cytoprotective actions.