THERAPEUTIC IMPACT OF GARCINIA CAMBOGIA EXTRACT ON PANCREATIC HISTOPATHOLOGY IN ALLOXAN-INDUCED DIABETIC ALBINO RATS: A PRECLINICAL INVESTIGATION.

J Peop Univ Med Health http://doi.org/10.46536/jpumhs/2024/15.02.644 Sci. 2025:15(2), 218-221.

Abstract

BACKGROUND: According to the most recent data from the NCD Risk Factor Collaboration (2022), type 2 diabetes affects 828 million people worldwide, with almost 95% of those patients having the illness. Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a progressive metabolic disorder marked by chronic hyperglycemia due to insulin resistance and/or β-cell dysfunction. The burden of DM in South
Asia, particularly Pakistan, is substantial. As pharmacological management remains partially effective in curbing long-term complications, alternative therapies such as plant-based treatments are being explored. According to most product labels, the Hydroxycitric acid HCA, the stated active component, is generally present in high amounts in G. cambogia fruit.This study evaluates the histopathological featues of Garcinia cambogia extract (GcE) on pancreatic β-cell mass structure in alloxan-induced diabetic rats. METHODS: This year-long preclinical study was conducted at the Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, BMSI, JPMC, Karachi. Sixty
male albino Wistar rats were randomly divided into three experimental groups (n=20 each) and induced with diabetes using Alloxan monohydrate (120 mg/kg). GcE was administered at doses of 25, 50, and 75 mg/kg for eight weeks. At the end of the experiment, rats were sacrificed, and histopathological analysis of pancreatic tissues was conducted. Fasting serum insulin levels and β-cell mass were recorded. RESULTS: Group C (75 mg/kg GcE) demonstrated the highest mean body weight (305.96±36.16 g), significantly greater than Groups A (293.06±44.16g) and B (295±51.17 g) (p < 0.001). Histopathological findings showed a marked increase in β-cell mass in Group C (356±55 units), compared to Group A (282±35 units) and Group B (276±40 units). CONCLUSION: Extract of Garcinia cambogia significantly improves pancreatic β-cell mass and islet architecture in diabetic rats, supporting its potential role in complementary DM therapy. Further studies are warranted to elucidate the mechanisms and establish clinical efficacy.