Phenolic Profile, Antioxidant Potential, and Antidiabetic Effects of Aristolochia longa Extracts in Streptozotocin‐Induced Diabetic Rats

ABSTRACT Aristolochia longa , a medicinal plant traditionally used in folk medicine, exhibits remarkable pharmacological properties primarily attributed to its bioactive‐rich rhizomes. This study aimed to evaluate its phytochemical composition, in vitro antioxidant capacity, α‐amylase inhibitory potential, and in vivo antidiabetic effects. Antioxidant assays, including 2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl, β‐carotene bleaching, and ferric reducing antioxidant power, revealed strong activity with 50% inhibitory concentration (IC 50 ) values of 238.45 ± 0.57 and 128.96 ± 67.04 µg/mL, and a 50% effective concentration of 5.88 ± 5.00 µg/mL, respectively. High‐performance liquid chromatography analysis identified tannic acid, catechin, gallic acid, and caffeic acid as the major phenolic constituents. The extract also exhibited potent α‐amylase inhibition (IC 50 = 0.470 ± 0.06 mg/mL). In vivo studies in streptozotocin‐induced diabetic rats treated with hydromethanolic extracts (250 and 500 mg/kg) showed significant reductions in blood glucose levels after 14 and 21 days of treatment. Oral glucose tolerance tests further confirmed its postprandial glucose‐lowering effect. Moreover, the extracts exhibited a significant antilipidemic effect by improving lipid profile parameters. Overall, these findings indicate that A. longa rhizomes represent a promising natural source of bioactive compounds with potent antioxidant, antidiabetic, and antilipidemic properties.