antidiabetic effects of morus alba linn leaf extract in a high-fat diet and streptozotocin-induced type 2 diabetic mouse model

Background: the rising prevalence of diabetes mellitus underscores the need for safer therapeutic options, including natural products. morus alba linn leaf extract (mae), a traditional remedy and the key component of the herbal product didala, has been investigated for its potential antidiabetic properties. objective: this study aimed to investigate the hypoglycemic and lipid-modulating effects of mae in a type 2 diabetes (t2dm) experimental model induced by a high-fat diet (hfd) and streptozotocin (stz) in mice. methods: t2dm was induced in male swiss mice by 8 weeks of an hfd followed by an intraperitoneal injection of stz at 100 mg/kg. diabetic mice were orally administered for 14 days with either a low dose mae (0.8208 g/kg/day), a high dose mae (2.4624 g/kg/day), or gliclazide (80 mg/kg/day) as a positive control. outcomes assessed included fasting blood glucose, lipid profiles (total cholesterol, ldl-cholesterol), liver and pancreatic malondialdehyde (mda) as a marker of oxidative stress, and histological examination. results: the low dose of mae significantly reduced fasting blood glucose and improved lipid profile by lowering total cholesterol and ldl-cholesterol, with outcomes comparable to the gliclazide group. it also reduced liver and pancreatic mda levels, indicating decreased oxidative stress, and ameliorated histopathological alterations in the liver and pancreas. the high-dose mae exerted less pronounced effects on glucose levels but still demonstrated some lipid and oxidative stress benefits. conclusion: mae, particularly at the lower dose, exhibits promising hypoglycemic and lipid-lowering effects in a hfd/stz-induced t2dm mouse model, supporting its potential as a natural therapeutic candidate for diabetes management. further studies should explore dose optimization, long-term efficacy, safety, and mechanisms of action.