Antidiabetic and Toxicological Evaluation of Ehretia asperula Leaf Extract in Diabetic Mice

The leaves of Ehretia asperula were extracted with ethanol to obtain a crude extract, which was evaluated for its anti-hyperglycemic activity. E. asperula was investigated using in vitro assays (α-amylase and α-glucosidase) and a diabetic mouse model induced by alloxan monohydrate (AM). The extract exhibited inhibitory activity against α-glucosidase (half-maximal inhibitory concentration [IC₅₀] value of 29.75 µg/mL) and α-amylase (IC₅₀ value of 136.71 µg/mL). The E. asperula extract also showed no toxicity in both acute and sub-chronic toxicity studies. Administration of the extract at a concentration of 400 mg/kg body weight effectively modulated and reduced blood glucose levels in AM-induced diabetic mice. Moreover, the extract improved glucose metabolism in diabetic mice by increasing the number of functional cells within the islets of Langerhans and reducing pancreatic damage. Additionally, E. asperula extract regulated blood lipid levels, liver enzymes, and cardiovascular indices in diabetic mice. These findings suggest that E. asperula possesses promising antidiabetic potential and warrants further investigation as a source of bioactive natural products.