Therapeutic potential of goldenseal root extract on glucose metabolism and weight reduction in diabetic rats

Goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis L.) is a medicinal plant that is commonly used in traditional medicine and as a dietary supplement. This plant's rhizomes/roots have been used to treat a wide range of conditions. Berberine and hydrastine are the most active alkaloids in goldenseal. Goldenseal extract demonstrated several therapeutic benefits, including anti-diabetic, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, hypolipidemic, neuroprotective, cardioprotective, and digestive protection. Numerous studies have demonstrated that goldenseal extracts and components have health benefits. This study investigated the anti-diabetic and weight reduction effects of goldenseal root extract in Wistar albino rats. Diabetes was induced by administering streptozotocin intraperitoneally at a dose of 35 mg/kg body weight. The diabetic rats were given goldenseal root extract at various doses (150, 250, 350 and 450 ppm/kg body weight), or none, for 8 weeks. Diabetic groups were compared with a non-diabetic control group. After 8 weeks of application in diabetic rats, the goldenseal root extract was associated with a reduction in feed intake (11%; ***p<0.001) and body weight (15%; ***p<0.001), and significant decreases in random blood glucose (33.2%; **p<0.01), fasting blood glucose (45.6%; ***p<0.001), and glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1c) (29.5%; ***p<0.001), while insulin (1.15 times; ***p<0.001) and liver glycogen (1.7 times; **p<0.01) levels significantly improved compared to untreated diabetic rats. The study found that goldenseal root extract has anti-diabetic and weight-management properties in Wistar albino rats. Therefore, it appears to be an effective alternative treatment for Type 2 Diabetes and weight management.