Evaluation of antidiabetic and wound healing properties of ethanol extract of Hedera nepalensis in alloxan-induced diabetic rats

Natural products are known to control diabetes and its associated complications. Leaves of Hedera nepalensis are used to cure diabetes in the folklore system of medicines. The present study was designed to evaluate the in vivo antidiabetic and wound healing potentials of ethanol extract of Hedera nepalensis. Ethanolic extract (Hn.Cr) was prepared by maceration and was chemically characterized by HPLC methods. Antioxidant and antimicrobial properties were assessed in three in vitro models. Toxicity profile of Hn.Cr was evaluated in acute toxicological studies. Alloxan-induced diabetes model was used to access the antidiabetic attributes of Hn.Cr. Excision wound healing model was used to access the wound healing potential of Hn.Cr in alloxan-induced diabetic rats. HPLC analysis of Hn.Cr revealed the presence of phenolic and flavonoids compounds. Data of in vitro antioxidant assays showed that Hn.Cr has moderate radical scavenging potential. In vitro antimicrobial testing results revealed that Hn.Cr was active against bacterial strains (Gram +ve and Gram -ve) while no activity was observed against fungal strains used in the current study. Acute toxicity study results showed that extract was safe up to the dose of 5000 mg/kg. In vivo antidiabetic study revealed that Hn.Cr significantly (p < 0.05) reduced the blood glucose levels in a dose and time-dependent manner. Data of the excisional wound healing model indicated that Hn.Cr accelerated wound healing in diabetic rats in a time-dependent manner. The current study concludes that multicomponent Hn.Cr has antidiabetic and wound healing properties, thus, can be used as a complementary therapy to manage hyperglycemia and wounds in diabetic patients. However, furhter studies are warranted in this regard.