Pharmacological Assessment of Calamus guruba Methanolic Extract: Multitarget Effects on Diabetes, Inflammation,...

Calamus guruba Buch.-Ham. (Family: Arecaceae) is a traditionally valued medicinal plant recognized for its wide range of therapeutic applications. This study was designed to evaluate the antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, anxiolytic, and antidepressant properties of the methanolic extract of C. guruba (MECG). Phytochemical screening of the extract was performed according to standard protocols. The antidiabetic potential was assessed using an alpha-amylase inhibition assay. At the same time, anti-inflammatory effects were examined using both in vitro (protein denaturation) and in vivo (carrageenan- and formalin-induced paw edema) models. Anxiolytic activity was evaluated using the elevated plus maze (EPM) and hole board test (HBT), and antidepressant effects were determined through the tail suspension test (TST). MECG demonstrated potent antidiabetic activity, with an IC₅₀ value of 48.69 μg/mL. The extract also showed marked anti-inflammatory effects in all tested models. MECG showed significant anxiolytic activity (p < 0.001) in both the EPM and HBT at a dose of 400 mg/kg. Moreover, the same dose significantly decreased immobility time in the TST compared to the control group, indicating robust antidepressant-like effects. Collectively, these findings suggest that MECG holds promise as a natural therapeutic agent for the management of diabetes, inflammation, anxiety, and depression.