ALKALOID AND FLAVONOID CONTENT OF PTEROCARPUS SANTALINOIDES: EFFECTS ON PANCREATIC BIOCHEMISTRY IN MICE

Pancreatitis is a disorder caused by oxidative and inflammatory damage to pancreatic tissues, leading to biochemical and functional abnormalities. Phytochemicals, including alkaloids and flavonoids, are acknowledged for their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. This study aims to analyse the total alkaloid and total flavonoid concentrations in the leaves, stems, and roots of Pterocarpus santalinoides (Nturukpa) and assess their effects on pancreatic biochemical indicators in mice with caerulein-induced pancreatitis. The hydroethanolic extracts of the plant parts were quantitatively analysed for alkaloids and flavonoids. Acute pancreatitis was induced in mice with consecutive caerulein injections. The extracts were administered orally for a period of 21 days. The levels of pancreatic insulin, antioxidant enzyme activity, lipid peroxidation, and inflammatory markers were evaluated. The stem extracts demonstrated the greatest quantities of alkaloids and flavonoids, followed by the leaf extracts, while the root extracts shown much lower levels. The administration of caerulein caused considerable oxidative stress, inflammation, and a reduction in pancreatic insulin levels. Treatment with the standard drug (ocreotide) and stem and leaf extracts significantly improved antioxidant enzyme activity, reduced lipid peroxidation and inflammation, and increased insulin levels (p < 0.05). P. santalinoides, particularly its stem and leaf fractions, mitigates caerulein-induced pancreatic biochemical disruptions via alkaloid- and flavonoid-mediated antioxidant and anti-inflammatory mechanisms.