Preliminary study: Pharmacotherapeutic effect of the aqueous stem cell
extract of Swiss apple {Malus domestica (Borkh)} of the Uttwiler
Spätlauber specie in rats
Abstract
Background: Diabetes impacts negatively many aspects of global
development including economic sustainability and human development. The
burden of diabetes with its increasing prevalence causes a harsh
financial decline hence, the quest for a permanent solution. Plant stem
cell therapy has the potential to drastically change the narrative of
scientific research from the perspective of being reactive to preventive
and restorative. Objective: This study sought to determine the
pharmacotherapeutic effect of the aqueous stem cell extract of Malus
domestica (MD) in rats Method: Antidiabetic effect of the aqueous
extract of MD (50,100, 200, and 400 mg/kg) was investigated in
normoglycemic and oral glucose-induced hyperglycemic rats that were
fasted overnight. Furthermore, acute oral toxicity studies were
conducted using the limit dose test of the Up-and-Down Procedure
according to OECD/OCDE test guidelines on acute toxicity. In addition,
α-amylase and α-glucosidase enzyme inhibitory assays, phytochemical
analysis, and antioxidant activity were assessed. Results: The
phytochemical constituents exhibited flavonoids, phenols, phlobatannins,
reducing sugars, carbohydrates, steroids, and cardiac glycosides. No
mortality or signs of toxicity after oral administration with a single
dose of 5 g/kg of the MD aqueous extract was recorded. Inhibition of
α-amylase and α-glucosidase, positive antioxidant scavenging activity,
and a significant (p < 0.0001) reduction in blood glucose
level in the hyperglycemic-induced rats but not the normoglycemic were
discovered. Pearson correlation showed an association between 50 and 100
mg/kg of MD and glibenclamide. Conclusion: There could be a strong
correlation between MD as a potential antidiabetic drug due to the
antioxidant properties it possesses.