Hypolipidemic and Renoprotective Effects of Methanolic Leaf Extract of Aegle marmelos in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rats: A Dose-Dependent Study

Background

Diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disorder commonly associated with dyslipidemia and progressive renal dysfunction, contributing to long-term complications. Leaves of Aegle marmelos (Bael), a traditional medicinal plant, contain phytochemicals with hypolipidemic and renoprotective activity.

Aim and Objectives

To evaluate the dose-dependent hypolipidemic and renoprotective effects of a methanolic leaf extract of Aegle marmelos in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.

Materials and Methods

Adult male Wistar rats were randomised into six groups (n=6 each): non-diabetic control, diabetic control, standard treatment (glimepiride + metformin), and three extract-treated group receiving 125,250, and 375 mg/kg A. marmelos once daily for 60 days after diabetes induction with streptozotocin (50 mg/kg, i.p.). The outcome assessors were blinded to group codes. The primary outcomes were serum urea and creatinine levels, and the secondary outcomes were Total Cholesterol (TC), LDL- Cholesterol (LDL-C), HDL- Cholesterol (HDL-C). Measurements were obtained at baseline (day 0) and day 60. The primary analysis compared groups at day 60 and assessed dose-response across the extract groups.

Results

By day 60, extract-treated rats showed lower TC, LDL-C, urea, and creatinine and higher HDL-C than diabetic controls in a dose-dependent pattern. The 375 mg/kg group approached the standard therapy group on several endpoints. No treatment-related mortality was observed.

Conclusion

The methanolic leaf extract of A. marmelos exhibited dose-dependent hypolipidemic and renoprotective effects in STZ-diabetic rats. These findings support further mechanistic evaluation and basic chemical standardisation for translational development.