Assessment of the hypoglycemic effect of Cyanthillium cinereum (L.) H. Rob. and its dual impact on uterine contraction in gestational diabetic rats

Objective

This study investigates the effects of Cyanthillium cinereum (L.) H. Rob. ethanolic extract (CCE) on gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) in rats using biochemical, histological, and uterine contractility studies.

Methods

Diabetes was induced in pregnant rats using streptozotocin (60 mg/kg). CCE was administered orally at low (50 mg/kg BW) and high (500 mg/kg BW) doses from gestation day 7 to day 21. Maternal evaluations included body weight, gravid uterine weight, and biochemical assays for serum glucose, insulin, lipids, and liver enzymes. Fetal outcomes included fetal size. Histological analyses of maternal pancreatic and uterine tissues and uterine contractility studies using ex vivo muscle strip experiments were also performed.

Results

CCE and metformin (MET) significantly reduced elevated blood glucose levels and improved the Islets of Langerhans area compared to the GDM group (P < 0.05). Both treatments showed a trend toward increased insulin levels (P > 0.05) and significantly reduced lipids, AST, and ALP levels (P < 0.05). High-dose CCE and MET increased gravid uterine weight and fetal size (P < 0.05) while showing a trend toward reducing placental weight and index (P > 0.05). Histological analysis revealed increased fiber area and decreased interstitial space in uterine sections (P < 0.05). Ex vivo, CCE enhanced spontaneous and oxytocin-induced contractions (P < 0.05), while MET had no effect.

Conclusion

CCE reduces elevated glucose levels and exhibits hypolipidemic and hepatoprotective effects, improving maternal and fetal outcomes in GDM. Its uterine contractility effects suggest potential as a complementary therapy to MET for GDM management.