Comparative studies on antidiabetic potential of mangiferin and bromelain in rats

The present study was carried out to comparatively evaluate antidiabetic potential of mangiferin and bromelain in experimentally induced diabetic Wistar rats. Forty female Wistar rats were randomly divided in to five groups. Group I, served as control, with receiving of water. Nicotinamide-streptozotocin combination protocol was used to induce diabetes in other four groups, with Group II serving as diabetic control. Metformin@100mg/kg, p.o., mangiferin@40 mg/kg, p. o. and bromelain@100 mg/kg p.o. were administered for 28 days to Group III, IV and V respectively. Fasting blood glucose, lipid profile, liver function enzymes, hepatic antioxidant markers, and histopathology of organs were evaluated. Diabetic control rats exhibited hyperglycaemia (>300 mg/dL), dyslipidaemia, elevated liver function enzymes, weight loss and increased oxidative stress with severe pancreatic, hepatic, renal, and cardiac lesions. Bromelain and mangiferin administration significantly reduced blood glucose by 58.43%, and 57.45%, respectively, both improved lipid parameters, normalized liver enzymes, restored antioxidant defences and ameliorated the histopathological alterations. Mangiferin showed superior weight restoration (21% gain) and antioxidant activity, while bromelain produced the most rapid early glycaemic reduction and marked hepatoprotective activity. The findings demonstrated that mangiferin and bromelain possess significant antidiabetic and organ-protective properties, with complementary mechanisms, and support their potential as options for adjunctive therapies in diabetes management.