Polyherbal blend of Nigella sativa, Cinnamomum zeylanicum, and Cassia angustifolia restores pancreatic β-Cell transcription factors (Pdx-1 and MAFA) and glycemic control in alloxan-induced diabetic rats

Nawaz, Laaraib; Batool, Shazia; Rehman, Aqsa; Yasin, Ayesha; Irfan, Shahzad

doi:10.22038/ajp.2026.27994

Polyherbal blend of Nigella sativa, Cinnamomum zeylanicum, and Cassia angustifolia restores pancreatic β-Cell transcription factors (Pdx-1 and MAFA) and glycemic control in alloxan-induced diabetic rats

Articles in Press

Document Type : Original Research Article

Authors

¹ University of Lahore

² Government College University Faisalabad

³ Department of Physiology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Government College University, Faisalabad, Punjab, Pakistan

10.22038/ajp.2026.27994

Abstract

Objective: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a metabolic disorder characterized by persistent hyperglycemia, either due to impairment in insulin production or insulin action. Emerging evidence highlights the therapeutic potential of medicinal herbs over conventional medicine. Our study investigated the anti-diabetic and antioxidant potential of Nigella sativa, Cinnamomum zeylanicum, and Cassia angustifolia in a polyherbal formulation in a diabetic rat model.
Materials and methods: Wistar albino rats (N=36, male, 6-8 weeks, 150-180 g) were kept in standard conditions throughout the experiment. Hyperglycemia was induced by a single intraperitoneal. injection of alloxan (120 mg/kg bw) in 30 rats. After 72 hr, hyperglycemic rats fasting blood glucose )FBG ( ≥150 mg/dl) were randomly divided into 5 groups (n=6): hyperglycemic positive control (PC), standard control (metformin 200 mg/kg bw), low dose extract treatment (LDE, 75 mg/kgbw), medium dose extract treatment group (MDE, 150 mg/kg bw), and high dose extract treatment group (HDE, 300 mg/kg bw) for 28 days. Negative control (n=6) received standard diet. After regular monitoring of body weight and FBG, serum markers (glucose, insulin, lipid profile, oxidative stress markers, and liver enzymes) were evaluated. The pancreas was processed for histopathology and expression levels of Pdx-1 and MAFA.
Results: Results showed significant improvements in body weight, FBG, lipid profile, liver enzymes, and antioxidant status in treatment groups versus the PC group, supported by preserved pancreatic histology and upregulation of Pdx-1 and MAFA, which are essential for β-cell function.
Conclusion: The polyherbal formulation effectively ameliorated hyperglycemia and enhanced β-cell regeneration by modulating oxidative stress and key transcriptional factors.

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