Antihyperglycemic and antioxidant potential of a lectin from Alsidium triquetrum in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

This study aimed to evaluate the antihyperglycemic and antioxidant activities of the lectin isolated from Alsidium triquetrum (BTL). Diabetes was induced in Wistar rats through low-dose streptozotocin injections. Following the confirmation of hyperglycaemia, the animals were treated with 150 mM NaCl, glibenclamide, or BTL at 600 or 900 mg/kg. The efficacy of BTL treatment was assessed by measuring serum glucose, total cholesterol, triglycerides, glutathione peroxidase, catalase, and superoxide dismutase levels on days 7, 14, and 21 post-induction. On day 21, pancreas and liver tissues were excised for histopathological analysis. BTL significantly reduced serum glucose, total cholesterol, and triglyceride levels while increasing all antioxidant enzyme levels. Moreover, the histopathological analysis suggests that BTL exerts a protective effect against diabetes-induced damage in hepatic and pancreatic tissues, indicating its potential as a therapeutic agent in managing diabetes.