Dioscorea alata L. Tubers Ethanol Extract Improves Insulin Resistance and Estrogen Defectively in Type 2 Diabetic Ovariectomized Rats

Dioscorea alata L., commonly known as water yam, has attracted the attention of scientific researchers for its potential anti-diabetic and estrogenic properties. However, the existing literature lacks specific studies on the anti-diabetic and estrogenic effects of D. alata in the context of type 2 diabetic ovariectomized rats. Thus, Our research focuses on investigating the influence of D. alata on the antidiabetic and estrogenic properties in rats. These rats have developed diabetes through a high-fat diet and streptozotocin induction and have also undergone ovariectomy, making them type 2 diabetic ovariectomized rats (T2DM OVX). This comprehensive study both in vitro and in vivo methodologies. We conducted a phytochemical analysis, revealing the presence of key bioactive constituents, including flavonoids, alkaloids, terpenoids, tannins, saponins, cardiac glycosides, and steroids. The results of our phytochemical screening confirm the remarkable antidiabetic properties of the D. alata extract, as it effectively inhibits α-glucosidase activity, leading to a significant reduction in fasting blood glucose levels. Additionally, it enhances body weight, serum insulin levels, and pancreatic islet size. The extract also demonstrates notable estrogenic effects by significantly increasing uterine wet weight, endometrial and myometrium thickness, bone calcium, and overall bone density, while reducing bone porosity in the T2DM OVX rats. It is important to note that while the D. alata extract exhibits slightly less potent α-glucosidase inhibition compared to acarbose, it showcases potent antidiabetic activity at a dose of 1,000 mg/kg body weight, comparable to Metformin (250 mg/kg body weight). In terms of estrogenic activity, it is slightly less potent than 17β-estradiol (1 mg/kg body weight). These findings provide robust evidence supporting the traditional use of D. alata and its efficacy in the context of antidiabetic and estrogenic properties within the T2DM OVX model.