Biochanin A Attenuates Hyperglycemia in High-Fat Diet–Streptozotocin–Induced Diabetic Rats by Modulating the Activities of Carbohydrate-Metabolizing Enzymes in Vital Organs

Medicinal plants have long been used for phyto therapy, and various herbal medicines have been used for diabetes treatment. The bioactive components of several medicinal plants are known to critically impact on carbohydrate metabolism. High-fat diet and eventual type 2 diabetes are associated with several comorbidities, such as hepatic and cardiac disorders. This study was aimed at assessing the antihyperglycemic effects of biochanin A in a high-fat diet–streptozotocin–induced type 2 diabetes rat model. The levels of different hyperglycemic markers were assessed. A significant reduction in the levels of glucose, insulin resistance, hemoglobin, and glucose-6-phosphate, and activities of fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase and glycogen phosphorylase, was found after administration of 10 mg/kg bw orally. Furthermore, the biochanin A–treated hyperglycemic rats exhibited significantly higher activities of hexokinase and glycogen synthase and hepatic levels of glycogen. Histopathological analysis of the liver and pancreas revealed that biochanin A significantly protected these organs from glucotoxicity. Thus, reductions in blood glucose levels and modification of the activity of the carbohydrate-metabolizing enzymes revealed that biochanin A exhibits potential antihyperglycemic effects. Graphical abstract